Early theories of communication viewed public speaking as:
A. a one-way transmission of messages.
B. a two-way transmission of messages.
C. only possible through a medium.
D. an any which way transmission of messages.
I would say A.
To determine the correct answer, let's analyze the options and the early theories of communication.
Option A: A one-way transmission of messages
This theory suggests that public speaking involves the speaker transmitting a message to an audience without any feedback or interaction. It implies that communication is only one-sided, where the speaker is the sole communicator, and the audience is passive recipients. This theory aligns with early models of communication, such as the Shannon-Weaver model, which considered communication as a linear process.
Option B: A two-way transmission of messages
This theory implies that public speaking involves a back-and-forth exchange of messages between the speaker and the audience. It suggests that communication is interactive, with both the speaker and the audience engaging in a dialogue. Early theories of communication, such as the interactive model, emphasize the importance of feedback and two-way communication.
Option C: Only possible through a medium
This theory suggests that public speaking can only occur with the assistance of a medium, such as a microphone, a stage, or a broadcasting platform. While there may be some truth to this idea, early theories of communication do not solely view public speaking as reliant on a medium.
Option D: An any which way transmission of messages
This option seems to convey a broad and vague understanding of public speaking as a transmission of messages in any manner. However, early theories of communication provide more specific perspectives on public speaking.
Based on the analysis, the most accurate answer is A. Early theories of communication, particularly linear models, viewed public speaking as a one-way transmission of messages, where the speaker communicates information to the audience without expecting any direct response or interaction.