But public speaking is neither reading nor talking.
You already know how to read, and you already know how to talk. But students who do this miss out on one of the major reasons for studying public speaking: to learn ways to “connect” with one’s audience and to increase one’s confidence in doing so. Substantial work goes into the careful preparation of an interesting and ethical message, so it is understandable that students may have the impulse to avoid “messing it up” by simply reading it word for word. The easiest approach to speech delivery is not always the best.
Maryland GovPics – House of Ruth Luncheon – CC BY 2.0.
