What is defined as public communication?

Public communication is characterized by the act of conveying information or messages to a larger audience as opposed to private or more intimate settings. This type of communication often involves a speaker addressing a group with potentially diverse backgrounds and viewpoints, aiming to inform, persuade, or engage that audience on a particular topic.

In the context of the options provided, speaking to a group or audience exemplifies public communication because it involves intentional delivery of a message to multiple individuals simultaneously, typically within a structured format such as speeches, presentations, or public forums. This form of communication emphasizes not just the transmission of information, but also the interaction between the speaker and audience, making it a vital skill in various public settings, from lectures to town hall meetings.

This distinctive focus on engaging a broader audience is what separates public communication from more personal interactions, such as speaking to a small group of friends, engaging in social media conversations, or having casual dialogues in public places, which are generally more informal and lack the structured approach characteristic of public speaking.