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Table of Contents

Contents

Part 1 • Getting Started  

1. Becoming a Public Speaker
Gain a Vital Life Skill
The Classical Roots of Public Speaking
Learning to Speak in Public
Public Speaking as a Form of Communication
Public Speaking as an Interactive Communication Process

2. From A to Z: Overview of a Speech  
Analyze the Audience
Select a Topic
Determine the Speech Purpose
Compose a Thesis Statement
Develop the Main Points
Separate the Speech into Its Major Parts
Outline the Speech
Consider Presentation Aids
Practice Delivering the Speech

3. Managing Speech Anxiety 
Identify What Makes You Anxious           
Pinpoint the Onset of Anxiety
Use Proven Strategies to Build Your Confidence
Activate the Relaxation Response
Use Movement to Minimize Anxiety
Learn from Feedback

4. Listeners and Speakers
Recognize the Centrality of Listening
Recognize that We Listen Selectively
Anticipate Obstacles to Listening
Practice Active Listening
Strive for the Open and Respectful Exchange of Ideas
Evaluate Evidence and Reasoning
Offer Constructive and Compassionate Criticism

5. Ethical Public Speaking 
Demonstrate Competence and Character
Respect Your Listeners’ Values
Contribute to Positive Public Discourse
Use Your Rights of Free Speech Responsibly
Observe Ethical Ground Rules
Avoid Plagiarism
Fair Use, Copyright, and Ethical Speaking

Part 2 • Development  

6. Analyzing the Audience
Adapt to Audience Psychology: Who Are Your Listeners? 
Adapt Your Message to Audience Demographics
Disability
Adapt to Diverse Audiences
Tools for Learning About Your Audience
Analyze the Speech Setting and Context      

7. Selecting a Topic and Purpose
Explore Topics for Your Speech
Identify the General Purpose of Your Speech
Refine the Topic and Purpose
From Source to Speech:  Narrowing Your Topic

8. Developing Supporting Material 
Offer Examples
Share Stories
Draw on Testimony
Provide Facts and Statistics

9. Finding Credible Sources in Print and Online
Assess Your Research Needs
Use Library Portals to Access Credible Sources
Recognize Propaganda, Misinformation, and Disinformation
Investigate a Mix of Primary and Secondary Sources
From Source to Speech:  Evaluating Web Sources

10. Citing Sources in Your Speech
Alert Listeners to Key Source Information
Avoid a Mechanical Delivery
Types of Sources and Sample Oral Citations

Part 3 • Organizing and Outlining 

11. Structuring the Speech
Use Main Points to Make Your Claims
Use Supporting Points to Substantiate Your Claims
Pay Close Attention to Coordination and Subordination     
Strive for a Unified, Coherent, and Balanced Organization
Use Transitions to Give Direction to the Speech
From Point to Point:  Using Transitions to Guide Your Listeners

12. Selecting an Organizational Pattern
Arranging Speech Points Chronologically
Arranging Speech Points Using a Spatial Pattern
Arranging Speech Points Using a Causal (Cause-Effect) Pattern
Arranging Speech Points Using a Problem-Solution Pattern
Arranging Speech Points Topically
Arranging Speech Points Using a Narrative Pattern

13. Creating Working and Speaking Outlines
Plan on Creating Two Outlines
Create a Working Outline First
Prepare a Speaking Outline for Delivery

Part 4 • Starting, Finishing, and Styling                                         

14. Developing the Introduction and Conclusion                                                                                 Preparing the Introduction   
Preparing the Conclusion

15. Using Language 
Use an Oral Style
Choose Concrete Language and Vivid Imagery
Choose Words that Build Credibility
Choose Language that Creates a Lasting Impression

Part 5 • Delivery 
                                                                          
16. Methods of Delivery 
Keys to Effective Delivery
Select a Method of Delivery

17. Your Voice in Delivery
Adjust Your Speaking Volume
Vary Your Intonation
Adjust Your Speaking Rate
Use Strategic Pauses
Strive for Vocal Variety
Carefully Pronounce and Articulate Words
Use Dialect (Language Variation) Strategically

18. Your Body in Delivery
Pay Attention to Body Language
Practice the Delivery
From Weak to Confident Delivery: Enhancing Your Delivery with Body Language

Part 6 • Presentation Aids                 

19. Speaking with Presentation Aids 
Select an Appropriate Aid
Options for Showing Presentation Aids

20. Designing Presentation Aids       
Keep the Design Simple
Use Design Elements Consistently
Select Appropriate Typeface Styles and Fonts
Use Color Carefully
Consider Subjective Interpretations of Color

21. Using Presentation Software      
Give a Speech, Not a Slide Show
Develop a Plan
Avoid Technical Glitches
Find Media for Presentations
From Slide Show to Presentation: Getting Ready to Deliver a Powerpoint, Keynote, or Prezi Presentation
Avoid Copyright Infringement

Part 7 • Types of Speeches                

22. Informative Speaking                        
Use Audience Analysis
Present New and Interesting Information
Look for Ways to Increase Understanding
Subject Matter of Informative Speeches
Decide How to Communicate Your Information
Take Steps to Reduce Confusion
Arrange Points in a Pattern
 SAMPLE INFORMATIVE SPEECH: Saundra Dixon, Going Carbon Neutral on Campus

23. Principles of Persuasive Speaking
Persuasive Speeches Appeal to Human Psychology
Classical Persuasive Appeals: Logos, Pathos, and Ethos
Contemporary Persuasive Appeals: Needs and Motivations

24. Constructing the Persuasive Speech
Identify the Nature of Your Claims
Use Convincing Evidence
Select Warrants
Counterarguments: Addressing the Other Side
Avoid Fallacies in Reasoning
Strengthen Your Case with Organization
SAMPLE PERSUASIVE SPEECH: Jacob Hahn, Becoming a Socially Conscious  Consumer
SAMPLE PERSUASIVE SPEECH: Greta Thunberg, Keynote Speech, Youth4Climate Summit, Milan, Italy

25. Speaking on Special Occasions
Functions of Special Occasion Speeches
Types of Special Occasion Speeches
SAMPLE SPECIAL OCCASION SPEECH: U.S. Congressman John Lewis, Dedication of  National Museum of African American History and Culture

Part 8 • Online, Group, and Business Contexts 000

26. Preparing Online Presentations
Apply Your Knowledge to Face-to-Face Speaking
Plan for the Unique Demands of Online Delivery
Plan the Delivery Mode
Choose an Online Presentation Format

27. Communicating in Groups
Focus on Goals
Plan on Assuming Dual Roles
Center Disagreements around Issues
Resist Groupthink
Adopt an Effective Leadership Style

28. Delivering Group Presentations
Use Group Communication Guidelines
Presenting in Panels, Symposia, and Forums

29. Business and Professional Presentations
Become Familiar with Reports and Proposals

Part 9 • Speaking in Other College Courses 

30. Presentations Assigned Across the Curriculum   Journal Article Review
Service Learning Presentation
Poster Presentation
Debate
Case Study
Prepare for Different Types of Audiences

31. Presentations in Science and Math Courses
Preparing Effective Presentations in Science and Math
Research Presentation
Field Study Presentation

32. Presentations in Technical and STEM Courses   
Preparing Effective Technical Presentations
Engineering Design Review
Architecture Design Review
Request for Funding

33. Presentations in Social Science Courses    
Preparing Effective Presentations in the Social Sciences
Review of the Literature Presentation
Program Evaluation Presentation
Policy Proposal Report

34. Presentations in Arts and Humanities Courses    
Preparing Effective Arts and Humanities Presentations
Interpreting and Analyzing a Work
Making Comparisons and Contrasts
Engaging in Debates

35. Presentations in Education Courses        
Preparing Effective Education Presentations
Delivering a Lecture
Facilitating a Group Activity
Leading a Classroom Discussion

36. Presentations in Nursing and Allied Health Courses      Preparing Effective Presentations in Nursing and Allied Health Courses
Evidence-Based Practice Presentation
Clinical Case Study Presentation
Quality Improvement Proposal
Treatment Plan Report

Appendices                                         
A. Citation Guidelines                      
B. Question-and-Answer Sessions  
C. Tips for Non-Native Speakers of English  

Glossary 

Authors

Dan O'Hair

Dan O’Hair is dean of the University of Kentucky College of Communication and Information. He is past presidential professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Oklahoma and past president of the National Communication Association. He is coauthor or coeditor of eighteen communication texts and scholarly volumes and has published more than ninety research articles and chapters in dozens of communication, psychology, and health journals and books. He is a frequent presenter at national and international communication conferences, is on the editorial boards of various journals, and has served on numerous committees and task forces for regional and national communication associations.

Hannah Rubenstein

Hannah Rubenstein is a writer, editor, and part-time college instructor who has used her academic training in communication (MA, Fairfield University) to guide her collaborations on A Pocket Guide to Public Speaking, A Speaker's Guidebook, Public Speaking: Challenges and Choices, and other successful college texts. She heads her own communication firm, Hedgehog Productions, and teaches the basic public speaking course at University of Bridgeport and other Connecticut colleges.

Rob Stewart

Rob Stewart is the Senior Vice Provost and professor of communication studies at Texas Tech University. He is coauthor of A Speaker's Guidebook, and five editions of A Pocket Guide to Public Speaking, and has published more than 30 articles and book chapters.

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