Final answer:
To determine if listeners have concerns or objections to a speech topic, the speaker should assess the audience's prior knowledge, their relationship and potential cultural sensitivities towards the topic, and prepare to address potential objections with reasoning and evidence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Assessing Audience Concerns in Speeches
To determine if listeners have any concerns or objections to a speech topic, it is crucial to assess multiple aspects regarding the audience. One should consider the audience's prior knowledge of the topic, their relationship with it, and their potential cultural sensitivities. Questions a speaker might ask include:
What does my audience already know about the subject?
What do they need to understand the point of my speech?
Are there any cultural issues that require sensitivity?
How much background knowledge do they possess?
Analyzing the audience's knowledge will guide how you shape your speech, including how much time you need to spend on background information. Additionally, understanding the audience's stance can help you tailor your arguments, provide relevant evidence, and present your subject in the best possible light to engage the audience effectively.
In the case of objections, planning your speech to address potential concerns, particularly by including reasoning and evidence, can help preemptively combat resistance and enhance persuasiveness.