Difference Between Public Speaking and Mass Communication

Communication is a process in which a person is conveying a message to another person.

Exchange of information and knowledge takes place through communication where there is a sender who conveys the message, and there is a receiver who receives the message/information. 

There are types of communication; these are Interpersonal Communication, Intrapersonal Communication, Group Communication, Public Communication, and Mass Communication.

Public Speaking vs Mass Communication

The difference between Public Speaking and Mass communication is that Public Communication is a type of communication that focuses the spender and where a person is conveying his message to a large audience, whereas Mass Communication is a receiver focused type of communication where the message is conveyed to the large audience through a medium of print of electronics.

Public Speaking is a type of communication where a sender is conveying his message or information to a large audience. It is a sender-focused type of communication. Here a sender is personally conveying his message to the audience and gets immediate feedback. It is a very effective way of communication as there a direct personal interaction of the public/audience and sender.

Mass Communication is a type of communication where the message/information is conveyed through a medium of print or electronics. There is no personal interaction as such in public speaking, but an advantage it has is that the message is conveyed to a very large audience without taking much time, making it a more convenient way of communication.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Public Speaking	Mass Communication
Definition	It is a type of communication where information is conveyed by a sender personally.	It is a type of communication where a sender conveys information through some medium.
Main Focus	The main focus is on the sender.	The main focus is not the sender.
Personal Connection	There is a personal connection.	There is not any personal connection.
Medium Used	The message is conveyed personally.	The message is conveyed through Electronic media or print media.
Feedback	Immediate feedback	Lack of immediate feedback.

What is Public Speaking?

Public Speaking is a type of communication in which communication takes place with a large audience when the sender conveys his message to them.

It is mainly a sender-focused type of communication as the sender has to be confident enough to convey the message properly and also should have the confidence to take the public feedback.

This type of communication takes place live, and it has several benefits such as:

1. Increase Confidence Level: the main advantage of it is that it leads to an increase in the confidence level of the individual.
2. Betterment in research skills: when performing public speaking sender has to research first, this helps in bettering the research skills.
3. Advancement in career: public speaking has some career options; hence there is advancement in career too.
4. Personality Development: through public speaking, an all-around personality is developed in an individual as he becomes courageous and confident and many more.
5. Other benefits: other benefits include that the person learns to take the criticism and a better understanding level.

Therefore, it is clear that public communication has several benefits, but the only disadvantage arises when the sender is not capable enough to deliver its message to the public clearly or is not able to take the feedback.

What is Mass Communication?

Mass Communication is a type of communication that takes place through a medium of mass media which can either be print media or some electronic media, like public speaking.

A large number audience is involved in this kind of communication, but this process is not live and is not a sender focused communication.

Advantages:

1. Short period: in a short period of time, information is exchanged.
2. Increases knowledge: through mass communication, anyone can increase their knowledge only thing required is some electronic device or newspaper.
3. Helpful for businesses: the business uses mass communications to promote their products and businesses.

Disadvantages:

1. Can be Addictive: electronic devices tend to be addictive, which is not good for the health of the individual.
2. Frauds: there is a high chance of fraud in mass communication as anyone can provide wrong information over mass media.
3. Others: other disadvantages can be like a person is using mass communication to promote a toxic or an illegal product or if some is trying to hack through this.

Main Differences Between Public Speaking and Mass Communication 

1. Public Speaking is a sender-focused type of communication where the sender conveys his message to the public, whereas Mass Communication is not a sender-focused communication, and the sender conveys his message through the medium of Print or Electronic Media.
2. In Public Speaking, the sender is the main focus as he is conveying the message to the large audience through personal interaction, whereas in Mass Communication sender is not the main focus as the message is being conveyed through other media, not through any personal interaction.
3. There is a personal interaction as direct communication is taking place in Public Speaking, whereas in Mass Communication, no such interaction takes place.
4. In Public Speaking, the sender is the medium of message conveying, whereas in Mass Communication medium of conveying the message in print or electronic media.
5. In Public Speaking, there immediate feedback by the audience, but there is a lack of feedback in Mass Communication.

References

1. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03634529409378958
2. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1955-03971-000
3. http://repo.unikadelasalle.ac.id/index.php?p=show_detail&id=11271&keywords