The Speaker: The Tradition and Practice of Public Speaking

Joseph M. Valenzano III, Jim A. Kuypers, Stephen W. Braden

Speech is both a skill and a field of study. Today, however, the rich tradition of speech communication is either reduced to a few quick mentions of Aristotle and Cicero or lost altogether. Why have we forgotten this history and, more importantly, why are these origins not being shared with our students? Authors of The Speaker bring the tradition of public speaking instruction to the forefront through the lens of skills-centered teaching. This text will help students understand the “why” behind the “how” of effective public speaking so they can apply it to their own speaking skills.

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Table of Contents for The Speaker: The Tradition and Practice of Public Speaking

  • Welcome to The Speaker!
  • Chapter 1: Public Speaking: A Long and Vibrant Tradition
  • Chapter 2: Practical Concerns: Fear, Listening, and Ethics
  • Chapter 3: Civility
  • Chapter 4: Research and Preparation
  • Chapter 5: Delivery
  • Chapter 6: Presentation Aids
  • Chapter 7: The Speaking Environment: Traditional and Digital Oratory
  • Chapter 8: Analyzing Your Audience
  • Chapter 9: Language and Considerations of Style
  • Chapter 10: Outlining
  • Chapter 11: Informative Speaking
  • Chapter 12: Crafting an Informative Speech
  • Chapter 13: Types of Persuasion