What does "audience-centered" public speaking require speakers to do?

"Audience-centered" public speaking emphasizes the importance of tailoring the message to connect with the audience effectively. When speakers understand the audience's expectations, they can shape their content, tone, delivery style, and examples to resonate with the listeners. This understanding enables the speaker to engage the audience more meaningfully, ensuring that the message is not only heard but also appreciated and retained.

This approach recognizes that each audience is unique, with its own values, interests, and level of knowledge about the topic. By focusing on these aspects, speakers can adjust their language and delivery methods, enhancing the overall effectiveness of their presentation.

While choosing relevant visual aids, memorizing a speech, and minimizing emotional expressions may all contribute to a successful presentation in certain contexts, they do not inherently encompass the audience-centered focus that is essential for effective public speaking. Understanding the audience's expectations fundamentally shapes the entire presentation, making it a core requirement of audience-centered communication.