My Audience

Worksheet Description

The “Adapting Speech” worksheet is a strategic tool that invites speakers to thoughtfully consider their audience before delivering a speech. The worksheet is organized into two columns, prompting the speaker to reflect on different aspects of the audience on one side and to articulate how they will adapt their speech to suit each aspect on the other. The categories provided include age, gender, education, group affiliation, socioeconomic status, sociocultural background, interest in the subject, and knowledge of the subject. This comprehensive approach ensures that speakers take into account a wide range of factors that could influence how their message is received.

By systematically working through each category, the speaker is encouraged to craft a speech that is inclusive, engaging, and effective. For instance, adapting speech for different age groups may involve varying the complexity of language used, while considering the audience’s socioeconomic background might influence the examples or references chosen to illustrate points. The worksheet guides the speaker to not only be aware of these audience characteristics but to also make intentional adjustments in their speech, aiming to connect with and resonate with their listeners. This resource is invaluable for anyone looking to improve their public speaking skills and to communicate more effectively across diverse groups.