DSST Public Speaking common mistakes
DSST Public Speaking · Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
Keeping an unsupported statistic because it is memorable.
A narrow label, surface improvement or isolated measure does not establish the actual purpose, meaning, evidence or authority.
What to do instead
Verify source, method and applicability or remove/limit the claim.
Adapting to an audience by stereotyping its members.
A narrow label, surface improvement or isolated measure does not establish the actual purpose, meaning, evidence or authority.
What to do instead
Use relevant actual needs and context while preserving accuracy and respect.
Presenting a personal attack as evidence against a claim.
A narrow label, surface improvement or isolated measure does not establish the actual purpose, meaning, evidence or authority.
What to do instead
Evaluate the relevant argument and support.
Giving an action conclusion that does not follow from the evidence.
A narrow label, surface improvement or isolated measure does not establish the actual purpose, meaning, evidence or authority.
What to do instead
State and inspect the actual inferential link and material alternatives.
Treating a written quiz as completion of a required recorded speech.
A narrow label, surface improvement or isolated measure does not establish the actual purpose, meaning, evidence or authority.
What to do instead
Prepare and complete the actual official performance task separately.
Using one gesture to infer dishonesty or mental state.
A narrow label, surface improvement or isolated measure does not establish the actual purpose, meaning, evidence or authority.
What to do instead
Interpret observed behavior cautiously in its actual context.
Reading slides aloud without explaining their relevance.
A narrow label, surface improvement or isolated measure does not establish the actual purpose, meaning, evidence or authority.
What to do instead
Use aids to clarify a supported point and rehearse the actual delivery.
Giving feedback as an attack on personal worth.
A narrow label, surface improvement or isolated measure does not establish the actual purpose, meaning, evidence or authority.
What to do instead
Describe specific task behavior, its effect and useful improvement.
Placing a necessary warning only after the affected step.
A narrow label, surface improvement or isolated measure does not establish the actual purpose, meaning, evidence or authority.
What to do instead
Use approved information at the point the reader needs it before action.
Writing for every reader as if expertise and purpose were identical.
A narrow label, surface improvement or isolated measure does not establish the actual purpose, meaning, evidence or authority.
What to do instead
Identify actual audience tasks and appropriate depth/navigation.
Treating a figure number as enough explanation for an unlabeled graph.
A narrow label, surface improvement or isolated measure does not establish the actual purpose, meaning, evidence or authority.
What to do instead
Supply meaningful labels, units, context and accessible description.
Assuming a copied feature or source text automatically fits the current task.
A narrow label, surface improvement or isolated measure does not establish the actual purpose, meaning, evidence or authority.
What to do instead
Verify actual version, source scope and reader requirements.