Final answer:
The statement is true, an effective speaker should focus on the commonalities among audience members to connect with them and shape the presentation appropriately, considering their culture, knowledge, and attitudes.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the text, in order to be an effective speaker, you should focus primarily on the commonalities of your audience members. This is true. Recognizing the culture, beliefs, and experiences of your audience allows you to choose appropriate vocabulary and detail levels. It is crucial to consider their background knowledge and relationship with the topic, as this will shape your speech outline and script.
By understanding the audience's shared attitudes, beliefs, cultures, and values, you can determine how much effort to expend on building consensus or convincing them of your viewpoint. The process involves finding the commonalities to connect with the audience, being adaptive, reflecting on your work, and striving to incorporate diverse perspectives. Furthermore, the context of the presentation, whether it be a captive audience or a group of voluntary attendees at a political rally, will influence the approach you need to take when speaking to them.