Public Speaking

PART I:  Foundations of Public Speaking

 

1. Welcome to Public Speaking

Why Study Public Speaking?

Public Speaking and Communication

The Public Forum

The Rhetorical Situation

Determinants of the Rhetorical Situation

The Quest for Quality

Ethics: Respect for Audience, Topic and Occasion

 

2. Your First Speech

Goals and Strategies for Your First Speech

Strategies for Organizing Your Speech

Beginning Assignments

Practicing the Speech

Presenting the Speech

Summary

 

3. Listening Critically

Are You Really Listening?

Strategies for Careful Listening

Listening Critically

Evaluating Speeches Critically

 

4. Analyzing Your Audience

Checking Audience Demographics

Respecting Audience Cultures

Understanding Audience Psychology

Strategies for Analyzing the Audience

Analyzing Your Own Ethos

 

PART II: Invention and Development of the Speech

 

5. Choosing Your Topic

What Makes a Good Topic?

How to Choose a Good Topic

Developing a Strategic Plan

Developing the Purpose Statement and the Thesis Statement

Analyzing the Thesis Statement

 

6. Researching Your Topic

Strategic Perspectives on Research

Types of Supporting Material

Finding Supporting Material from People

Finding Supporting Material in Print

Finding Supporting Material Electronically

A Strategy for Research

Note Taking and Filing

 

7. Reasoning with Your Audience

Proof, Support and Reasoning

Strategies for Reasoning Through Example

Strategies for Reasoning Through Analogy

Strategies for Reasoning Through Signs

Strategies for Reasoning Through Cause

Strategies for Reasoning Through Testimony

Strategies for Reasoning Through Narrative

Avoiding Errors in Reasoning

Reasoning in Public Speaking

 

 

PART III:  Arrangement of the Speech

 

8. Organizing the Speech: The Body

Why is Organization Important?

Selecting the Main Ideas

Arranging the Main Ideas

Selecting and Arranging Supporting Materials

 

9. Organizing the Speech: Introductions, Conclusions, and Transitions

Introductions: Beginning the Speech

Conclusions: Ending the Speech

Transitions: Connecting the Elements of a Speech

 

10. Outlining the Speech

From Ideas to Outline

The Preparation Outline

Sample Preparation Outlines

The Presentation Outline

Sample Presentation Outline

 

PART IV:  Style and Delivery of the Speech

 

11. Achieving Style through Language

What is Style?

Defining Terms Appropriately

Achieving Clarity, Rhythm and Vividness

Style and the Entire Speech

Achieving Good Style

 

12. Presenting the Speech

Characteristics of Effective Presentation

The Voice in Presentation

The Body in Presentation

Modes of Presentation

Practicing for Speech Presentation

 

13. Using Visual Aids

Benefits of Using Visual Aids

Types of Visual Aids

Traditional Visual Aid Materials

Preparing Visual Aids

Computer-Generated Visual Aids

Using Visual Aids in the Speech

 

PART V:  Uses of Public Speaking

 

14. Informing

Planning Your Strategy

Informative Strategies

Encouraging Retention

 

15. Persuading

Purposes Achieved Through Persuasive Strategies

Plan Your Strategy

The Elaboration Likelihood Model

Constraints on Effective Persuasive Speaking

Strategic Resources for Specific Purposes

Generally Available Strategic Resources

Organizing Persuasive Speeches

 

16. Celebrating: Occasions for Public Speaking

Fitting Your Speech to the Occasion

Deliberative Speaking

Ceremonial Speaking

Speech Combining Deliberative and Ceremonial Goals

 

Appendix: Speeches for Analysis and Discussion

Student Speeches

Public Speeches