Essentials of Public Speaking

Most chapters conclude with “Summary,” “Web Resources,” “Chapter Questions,” and “Endnotes.”

Foreword.


Preface.
I.THE OVERALL PERSPECTIVE.

1.Getting Started.


Nervousness Is Normal.



Understanding the Process of Speech Preparation.

2.The Basics.


A Model of Communication.



Communicating in a Free Society.



Taking Ethical Responsibility.

3.Listening.


Barriers to Effective Listening.



Hearing versus Listening.



The Nature of Listening.



Types of Listening.

4.Audience Analysis.


Identifying the Target Audience.



Adapting to Audience Needs, Interests, and Desires.



Using Demographics to Understand Your Audience.



How Do You Analyze the Audience?



Gaining Audience Involvement.



Maintaining Mutual Respect with Your Audience.



Using Feedback.

II.THE SUBSTANCE OF THE SPEECH.

5.Finding Originality and Focus.


Originality.



Choosing a Topic and Purpose.



The Central Thesis.



Using Visual Support.



Sample Speech.

6.Discovering Information.


Personal Inventory.



Library Investigation.



Recording Information.



Informational Interviewing.



Researching the Internet.



Types of Supporting Information.



Sample Speech.

7.Organizing Information.


The Need for Order.



Laying the Foundation.



Choosing Your Main Points.



Organizing Your Speech.



Outlining Ideas.

8.Introductions, Transitions, and Conclusions.


Conclusions.



Introductions.



Transitions.



Sample Speech.

III.MAKING THE PRESENTATION.

9.Credibility.


The Importance of Credibility.



Building Credibility: The Speaker-Audience Relationships.



Building Credibility through Quality Communication.



Developing Credibility Before a Speech.



Developing Credibility During the Speech.

10.Language.


Meaning Lies in People.



Attributes of Effective Language.



Improving Your Language Use.

11.Delivery.


How to Make an Effective Presentation.



Characteristics of Effective Delivery.



Styles of Presentation.



Remembering Your Speech.

12.Visual Support.


The Purposes of Visual Support.



Suggestions for Using Visual Support.



Types of Visual Support.

IV.TYPES OF PRESENTATIONS.

13.Informative Speaking.


Types of Informative Speaking.



Making an Effective Informative Speech.



Answering Questions.



Sample Speech.

14.Persuasive Speaking.


Influencing Attitudes.



Your Potential Persuasive Impact.



Types of Persuasive Speaking.



Motivational Appeals.



Propositions of Fact, Value, and Policy.



Organizing Persuasive Speeches.



Persuasion and Ethics.



Sample Speech.

15.Speeches for Special Occasions.


Toasts.



Introductions.



Keynote Speeches.



Presentation Speeches.



Acceptance Speeches.



Inaugural Addresses.



Farewell Speeches.



Eulogies.



Using Television or Videotape.



Sample Speech.

Appendix I: Suggested Topics for Speeches.
Appendix II: Speech Evaluation Form.
Index.