Public Speaking in English (012024-RUT) Async

Audience analysis refers to process of gathering brief information about the audience so that you can understand their background, expectations, beliefs, values, attitudes, and most importantly likely their opinions on the topic you are delivering. Audience analysis is one of the key elements to ensure you reach your full potential in delivering your speech.

Taking an audience analysis approach before any speeches can ensure the speaker’s effectiveness as the speech is created and delivered relevantly or in an appropriate manner towards the audience.

Remember, adapting a speech to an audience is not the same thing as simply telling an audience what they want to hear. Audience analysis does not mean ‘grandstanding’ or ‘kowtowing’ to an audience. Rather, adaptation guides the stylistic and content choices a speaker makes for a speech presentation.

Audience adaptation often involves walking a very fine line between over-adapting and under-adapting – a distinction that can be greater appreciated by understanding the general needs between the speech and audience.

For instance, when preparing a speech for a classroom audience consisting of other students and your professor, you may feel that you know their interests and expectations well. However, public speaking focuses on addressing other audiences where we can impart knowledge or idea. In some cases, your audience might consist of young children who are not ready to accept the fact that a whale is not a fish or that the moon is always round even though it sometimes appears to be a crescent or a half circle.