Which of the following terms is used for verbal and nonverbal cues that show what audience members think about a speaker?

Audience feedback refers to the range of verbal and nonverbal signals that listeners send back to a speaker during or after a presentation. This feedback can manifest through applause, facial expressions, nods, eye contact, and other forms of engagement, allowing the speaker to gauge how well the message is being received. By interpreting this feedback, speakers can adjust their delivery, content, or pacing in real-time. This concept is crucial in public speaking because understanding audience feedback can significantly enhance communication effectiveness, making the interaction more dynamic and responsive.

While facial expressions are a component of this feedback, they represent just one specific form of nonverbal cue rather than the comprehensive process of audience engagement. Contextual evidence usually refers to the circumstances surrounding a speech or presentation that may influence its interpretation; it does not directly pertain to audience reactions. Audience adaptation involves changing the speech based on audience characteristics and feedback but doesn't encompass the feedback itself. Thus, audience feedback is the most accurate term that describes the overall reactions and thoughts of audience members regarding a speaker.