The Public Speaking Playbook

Teri Kwal Gamble enjoyed a career as a full professor of communication at the College of New Rochelle in New Rochelle, NY (PhD, New York University; MA and BA, Lehman College, CUNY), and Michael W. Gamble, is a full professor of communication at the New York Institute of Technology in New York City (PhD, New York University; BA and MFA, University of Oklahoma). The Gambles are partners in life and work. Professional writers of education and training materials, the Gambles are the coauthors of numerous textbooks and trade books. Their most recent publication is The Interpersonal Communication Playbook (2020). Teri and Mike also are the coauthors of The Communication Playbook (2019). Among other books the Gambles have written together are Nonverbal Messages Tell More: A Practical Guide to Nonverbal Communication (2017), Leading with Communication (2013), and The Gender Communication Connection (2nd ed., 2014). Previously, Michael served as an officer and taught Leadership Skills for the U.S. Army Infantry School during the Vietnam War. The Gambles also are the founders of Interact Training Systems, a consulting firm that conducts seminars, workshops, and short courses for business and professional organizations. Teri and Mike also produce training and marketing materials for sales organizations and are the coauthors of the trade book, Sales Scripts That Sell.   Teri Kwal Gamble enjoyed a career as a full professor of communication at the College of New Rochelle in New Rochelle, NY (PhD, New York University; MA and BA, Lehman College, CUNY), and Michael W. Gamble, is a full professor of communication at the New York Institute of Technology in New York City (PhD, New York University; BA and MFA, University of Oklahoma). The Gambles are partners in life and work. Professional writers of education and training materials, the Gambles are the coauthors of numerous textbooks and trade books. Their most recent publication is The Interpersonal Communication Playbook (2020). Teri and Mike also are the coauthors of The Communication Playbook (2019). Among other books the Gambles have written together are Nonverbal Messages Tell More: A Practical Guide to Nonverbal Communication (2017), Leading with Communication (2013), and The Gender Communication Connection (2nd ed., 2014). Previously, Michael served as an officer and taught Leadership Skills for the U.S. Army Infantry School during the Vietnam War. The Gambles also are the founders of Interact Training Systems, a consulting firm that conducts seminars, workshops, and short courses for business and professional organizations. Teri and Mike also produce training and marketing materials for sales organizations and are the coauthors of the trade book, Sales Scripts That Sell.  

Chapter 1: Public Speaking and You: Building Confidence
Identify Speechmaking’s Benefits
Understanding the Context of Public Speaking
Build Confidence
Chapter 2: Give Your First Speech
Select Your Topic
Develop, Support, and Organize Your Speech
Practice Delivery
Conduct a Post-Presentation Analysis
Chapter 3: Ethics and Public Speaking in a Global World
Respect Different Cultures
Speak Ethically
Think Critically
Chapter 4: Listening Critically
The Six Stages of Listening
Listening and Cultural Differences
The Benefits of Critical Listening
The Four Types of Listening
Improving Listening Behaviors
Chapter 5: Analyzing and Adapting to the Audience
Reach Out to Your Audience
Answer Preliminary Questions
Compose a Demographic Snapshot
Compose a Psychographic Snapshot
Consider the Speaking Situation
Get Information About Your Audience
Chapter 6: Select a Topic and Purpose
Formulate a Topic
Formulate General and Specific Purposes
Formulate the Thesis Statement
Chapter 7: Finding and Evaluating Research
Use Primary Research
Gather Secondary Research
Keep a Research Record
Think Critically About Research
Chapter 8: Integrating Support
Use Examples
Use Explanations and Descriptions
Use Definitions
Use Analogies
Use Statistics
Use Testimony
Citing Sources in Your Speech
Chapter 9: Organizing Your Speech
Understanding Speech Organization
Use Linear Organizational Formats
Use Configural Formats
Chapter 10: Outlining Your Speech
Create an Outline That Works For You
Make Your Speech Seamless
Practice Speaking With Your Outline
Chapter 11: Introducing Your Speech
Get Your Audience’s Attention
Build Your Credibility
Preview the Big Ideas
Avoid These Common Introductory Bloopers
Chapter 12: Concluding Your Speech
End Strong
Avoid These Common Concluding Pitfalls
Chapter 13: Wording the Speech
Understand How Words Work
Use Words To Connect
Consider Your Audience
Be Strategic
Use Oral Style
Chapter 14: Styles of Delivery
Choose a Delivery Mode
Plan and Practice
Avoid Common Delivery Bloopers
Chapter 15: The Speaker’s Voice
Control the Sound of Your Speech
Pitch Your Voice Properly
Adjust Volume
Regulate Rate
Pay Attention to Articulation and Pronunciation
Be Aware of Dialects and Regionalisms
Chapter 16: Physical Aspects of Delivery
Approach the Audience With Confidence
Coordinate Your Body Language With Your Words
Make the Most of the Speaker’s Setting
Chapter 17: Using Presentation Aids
Use Presentation Aids Strategically
Know How to Work With Presentation Aids
Select the Best Aids
Be Familiar With Presentation Software
Get the Most From Your Presentation Aids
Chapter 18: Speak to Inform
Speeches About Objects and Ideas
Speeches About Events and People
Speeches About Processes and Procedures
Achieving Informative Speaking Goals
Chapter 19: Prepare to Persuade
We All Practice Persuasion
Goals and Purposes of Persuasive Speech
Categorize and Organize the Persuasive Speech
Understand Monroe’s Motivated Sequence
Chapter 20: Methods of Persuasion
Varying Viewpoints and Your Target Audience
Build Persuasive Credibility
Use Evidence
Appeal to Reason
Arouse Emotions
Use Three Tenets of Persuasion
Ethical Persuasion: Avoid Fallacies
Chapter 21: Planning and Presenting in Groups
Speaking in Public Versus in a Group
Working Together
Solving Problems in Groups
Presenting the Group’s Work
Assess Your Group’s Development
Chapter 22: Special Occasion Speeches
Goals and Functions of Special Occasion Speeches
Types of Ceremonial Speeches
The Speech of Introduction
The Speech of Presentation
The Speech of Acceptance
The Commencement Address
The Keynote Address
The Speech of Tribute
The Eulogy
The After-Dinner Speech
Chapter 23: Business and Professional Speaking
First, Get the Job: How to Handle a Job Interview
Speaking in a Meeting
The Pitch
Briefings and Reports
The Training Session
Chapter 24: Leadership and Storytelling
Discover Your Inner Storyteller
Use Language to Connect
Acknowledge the Importance of Stories
Chapter 25: Speaking in College Courses
Presenting Across the Curriculum
Speaking Assignments in Every Course
Chapter 26: Presenting Online
The Technological Difference
Formats for Online Presentations
Online Platforms for Presenting
Chapter 27: Answering Questions
The Timing of the Q&A Session
Managing the Q&A