In one sense, we all know what public speaking is: a speaker transmits a message
orally to an audience. But this simple view does not explain just how the speaker
and listeners participate in communication, interacting in order to build connections
whereby they can understand each other and recognize common interests.
Early theories of communication viewed public speaking as a series of one-way
messages sent from speaker to audience. In fact, however, the audience participates
along with the speaker in creating shared meaning and understanding. The
speaker’s ideas and values are tested and refined through interaction with the
audience, and listeners’ knowledge and understanding are modified through interaction
with the speaker. Thus, public speaking is a continuous communication
process in which messages and signals circulate back and forth between speaker
and listeners.