COMM200 | Lesson 1
Introduction to Public Speaking

Classical Period
(480 BC.–400 AD)

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The Classical Period gave rise to the art and study of public speaking. Characterized by a wealth of great philosophers, orators, and rhetoricians, these were the times of Socrates, Aristotle, Plato, and Cicero. Public speaking was mainly used as a means to persuade, but Quintilian took his line of thinking further and suggested that public speaking was inherently moral.

Many concepts from the Classical Period are still used in the study of public speaking today. These concepts include Aristotle’s concepts of ethos, pathos, and logos and Cicero’s five canons of rhetoric—invention, arrangement, style, memory, and delivery. However, very little was contributed to the rhetorical studies after the death of Quintilian (about 100 AD) until the fall of the Roman Empire (410 AD).

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The Medieval Period
(400-1400)

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Often referred to as the Dark Ages, the Medieval Period was a stark contrast to the Classical Period. The Catholic Church was threatened by secular rhetorical works, classifying them as pagan teachings. People were not encouraged to publicly speak on topics of their choosing. However, the Church found a use for the practice of public speaking, particularly for clergymen.

Augustine of Hippo, also known as Saint Augustine, believed that the study of rhetoric was particularly useful for the Church. He argued the importance of the principles and development of public speaking seen in the Classical Period. He advocated for the study and practice of public speaking. He believed that rhetoric was an obligation for all Christians as spreading the Christian message was the duty of every practicing Christian.

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“A thing is not necessarily true because badly uttered, nor false because spoken magnificently.”
_{—St. Augustine}

The Renaissance Period
(1400-1600)

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The Middle Ages ended with the beginning of the Renaissance, a time of cultural exploration and intellectual freedom. This was the time of Shakespeare, Descartes, Newton, Copernicus, Raphael, and Leonardo Da Vinci. Interest in classical studies became prevalent. Many schools and libraries were built.

The philosophy of humanism became popular amongst scholars. Humanism emphasizes the value of human beings and the ability to think critically and rationally. The teachings of Cicero and Quintilian were revived during the Renaissance, and the study and practice of public speaking became integral parts of the rationalist and humanist movements. However, the focus shifted from persuasion (i.e., rhetoric) to the importance of philosophy and science. Language became a means to communicate the truth rather than to persuade.

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The Modern Period
(1600-present day)

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TThe Modern Period emphasized the importance of science and philosophy. Three main trends dominated this period—epistemological, belletristic, and elocutionist. Epistemology is the study of the origin, nature, and limitations of human knowledge. Epistemological thinkers sought to understand the psychological process and how human nature and rhetoric intertwined.

The belles lettres (also known as belletristic) movement took rhetoric in a different direction. Subscribers to this movement placed less emphasis on the informative value of communication and more on eloquence and aesthetics. This movement was quite a departure from the rationalist approach. The elocutionary movement put more emphasis on delivery, which included voice technique, facial expressions, gestures, posture, and movement.

The Modern Period saw a shift once again in the early 1900s due to the development of rhetoric in the United States. This shift was inspired by orations delivered by leaders of the American Revolution and has continued through the use of mass media.

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