Bonospeaking

Bonospeaking is a term used to describe a style of public speaking that emphasizes ethical persuasion, audience-centered messaging, and constructive outcomes. The name combines the Latin bona meaning good with speaking, signaling a commitment to beneficial communication rather than manipulation. The concept arose in online communities of educators, coaches, and organizers in the late 2010s, where practitioners debated how to balance persuasiveness with accountability.

Core principles include clarity of purpose, transparency of evidence, respect for diverse perspectives, and a focus on outcomes that benefit the audience. Techniques associated with bonospeaking include framing a problem around a clear goal, presenting verifiable data, using narratives that illustrate real-world impact, and inviting questions to close the loop after a talk. Practitioners favor concise language, concrete examples, and explicit sourcing. Feedback mechanisms, such as post-presentation surveys, are used to ensure alignment with promised outcomes.

Bonospeaking finds applications in corporate training, political discourse, nonprofit advocacy, education, and community organizing, where speakers aim to inform, persuade, and mobilize responsibly.

Reception of the approach has been mixed. Proponents praise its emphasis on ethics, clarity, and audience welfare, while critics argue it can be rigid, difficult to measure, or overly prescriptive in high-stakes environments.

See also: rhetoric, ethical communication, persuasive speaking.