Public speaking and spoken word are art forms that both have things in common, as well as things in conflict, but with very clear boundaries that make the concept fun to learn about, compared to other topics in English/Literature. It is a pleasure to help you tear these terms apart. Let’s get right into it.

The term public speaking is not new to many. It may have received several definitions over the years but the central idea of being a formal, structured, or organized form of conversation has remained salient across all. More precisely, public speaking could be defined as a formal oral form of addressing, instructing, entertaining, or enlightening a group of people. Words like ‘group of people’ and ‘oral’ are core in defining this concept because each represents the operational words, respectively.

Also worthy of note is the fact that the traditional definition of public speaking has shifted slightly; it used to go along with ‘face-to-face’, but times changed and we have seen speakers address the public through digital platforms while also getting instant, live feedback. However weird that sounds. We will say some more about the basic idea of public speaking shortly.

The spoken word counterpart is the ‘quite’ more problematic of the two. I say it is problematic because it could be literal or technical. This especially becomes clear when you try to get to the origin of it.

Spoken word in the literal sense is just word delivery. In the technical sense, Wiktionary’s definition 1 will be helpful: “an oral art form, usually consisting of performance poetry, although sometimes overlapping with storytelling or rap.” This definition betrays the literary view of spoken word which we take for an umbrella term for several other terms including poetry slam, hip-hop, jazz, etc. In full, the term is thereby Spoken word poetry.

For the purposes of this article, we shall be considering the differences between public speaking and spoken word poetry (or literary spoken word).

The differences between public speaking and spoken word

Although public speaking and spoken word are forms of conversation, public speaking is notably more about language than literature; where spoken word is literature-bound. For that reason, you could find public speakers in any discipline that uses language (everywhere). Spoken word artists are usually literarians, if not poets. 

Since they are not usually the same kind of people, their audiences too differ and so do their expectations. Their speech may be planned but the public speaker appeals to their audience by paying attention to feedback and delivering their speech accordingly. The spoken word artist tries to appeal by employing literary techniques including but not limited to rhythm, which must have been thoroughly rehearsed. This should also inform us of another striking difference: public speaking is the more flexible practice of the both. 

In public speaking, you can safely alter the speech you planned to deliver, without any grave impact on your presentation. Several public speakers boast of spontaneous presentations. The spoken word artist, in his/her own space, may get in serious trouble for altering the rehearsed script (of poetry/prose) because each word you hear is first written and said aloud several times for evaluation of the effects they may have.

Further, while spoken word events may seek to unveil new talents and promote them, events that present public speakers are usually hiring relevant personages who are perceived to be capable of adding value to a given audience. Public speaking then admittedly presents more people for jobs than spoken words. More people thereby take courses on public speaking than spoken word performance.

Another light to look at these concepts from is how they are held. With respect to the physical environment, public speaking proves to be more costly to manage as it usually requires good audio-visual systems and the speaker’s knowledge of the tools in use. The spoken word artist would have no necessary reason to bother their head with that much, making their art more affordable.

Similarly, public speaking is time-bound. We cannot say the same for spoken word, only that we know poetry slam—an aspect of it—to keep to a limited 3-minute per performance timing. The other forms, which may even come across as rap, are not known to be timed.

If this will not throw you off, it should also be added that every fact put together signals that when spoken word is elevated in, it is already taking some form of public speaking. Not to wonder why public speaking could be for entertainment, if you remember our definition.

To wrap up, spoken word is closer to everyday conversation except it features a kinda more elevated style. Public speaking is real business, value oriented. 

A brief history of public speaking and spoken word

Given the earlier highlighted complicated nature of spoken word, nobody knows for sure when it started. Research, nevertheless, shows that the modern emergence or resurfacing of spoken word is traced first to the 1920s where jazz poets recited their works alongside jazz music. There are other traces including the Black Art Movement but the 1920s’ remains the earliest documented. Instinctively, though, I guess we will all agree to say that the art must be as old as man.

Coming to public speaking, on the other hand, we shall be looking at the BCE days. Records hold that the art may be traced back to ancient Greece over its development of democracy. If you are studying philosophy, you are likely thinking of Socrates refuting the blasphemy claim laid against him before a 501 citizen’s jury in Athens. Really, that counts as one of the earliest defined forms of public speaking. In the same vein, I recommend that you read our article on whether Socrates believed in fate. The article reveals an account of the things Socrates did that led to his death and the reason he felt fulfilled doing them.

It is hoped that every reader that has come this far should have gotten a proper grasp of public speaking and spoken word.