Public Speaking

Steven A. Beebe is serving in his 28th year as Chair, of the Department of Communication Studies at Texas State University. He is Regents’ and University Distinguished Professor of Communication Studies. He also served as Associate Dean of College of Fine Arts and Communication for 25 years. Steve is an author and co-author of twelve books (with multiple editions totaling more than 65 books), more than 50 articles and book chapters, as well as over 150 papers and presentations at professional conferences. Steve’s communication books have been used at hundreds of colleges and universities throughout the world making him one of the top communication textbook authors in the United States. Steve is President of the National Communication Association (NCA), the largest professional communication association in the world.   Susan J. Beebe has been on the faculty of the Department of English at Texas State University-San Marcos since 1988.  As Director of Lower-Division Studies in English, she directs the first-year writing and sophomore literature programs and helps to train and mentor some 60 graduate teaching assistants annually. Sue’s professional interests and expertise encompass both oral and written communication.  She has co-authored with Steven Beebe several communication textbooks used at more than a thousand universities worldwide.  In addition, she has published articles, conference papers, and teaching materials in both English and communication studies.

In this Section:

1. Brief Table of Contents

2. Full Table of Contents

 

1. Brief Table of Contents

 

Chapter 1: Speaking with Confidence  
Chapter 2: Presenting Your First Speech  
Chapter 3: Speaking Freely and Ethically  
Chapter 4: Listening to Speeches  
Chapter 5: Analyzing Your Audience  
Chapter 6: Developing Your Speech  
Chapter 7: Gathering and Using Supporting Material  
Chapter 8: Organizing and Outlining Your Speech  
Chapter 9: Introducing and Concluding Your Speech  
Chapter 10: Using Words Well: Speaker Language and Style 
Chapter 11: Delivering Your Speech  
Chapter 12: Using Presentation Aids  
Chapter 13: Speaking to Inform  
Chapter 14: Understanding Principles of Persuasive Speaking  
Chapter 15: Using Persuasive Strategies  
Chapter 16: Speaking for Special Occasions and Purposes 
Appendix A: Speaking in Small Groups  
Appendix B: Speeches for Analysis and Discussion  





2. Full Table of Contents

 

Chapter 1: Speaking with Confidence
What is Public Speaking?
Why Study Public Speaking?
The Communication Process
The Rich Heritage of Public Speaking
Improving Your Confidence as a Speaker

 

Chapter 2: Presenting Your First Speech
Consider Your Audience
Select and Narrow Your Topic
Determine Your Purpose
Develop Your Central Idea
Generate the Main Ideas
Gather Supporting Material
Organize Your Speech
Rehearse Your Speech
Deliver Your Speech

 

Chapter 3: Speaking Freely and Ethically
Speaking Freely
Speaking Ethically

 

Chapter 4: Listening to Speeches




Overcoming Barriers to Effective Listening
How to Become a Better Listener
Improving Listening and Critical Thinking Skills
Analyzing and Evaluating Speeches
Chapter 5: Analyzing Your Audience
Gathering Information about Your Audience
Analyzing Information about Your Audience
Adapting to Your Audience
Analyzing Your Audience before You Speak
Adapting to Your Audience as You Speak
Analyzing Your Audience after You Speak

 

Chapter 6: Developing Your Speech
Select and Narrow Your Topic
Determine Your Purpose
Develop Your Central Idea
Generate and Preview Your Main Ideas
Meanwhile, Back at the Computer . . .

 

Chapter 7: Gathering and Using Supporting Material
Sources of Supporting Material
Research Strategies
Types of Supporting Material
The Best Supporting Material

 

Chapter 8: Organizing and Outlining Your Speech
Organizing Your Main Ideas
Integrating Your Supporting Material
Organizing Your Speech for the Ears of Others: Signposting
Outlining Your Speech

 

Chapter 9: Introducing and Concluding Your Speech
Purposes of Introductions
Effective Introductions
Purposes of Conclusions
Effective Conclusions

 

Chapter 10: Using Words Well: Speaker Language and Style
Using Words Effectively
Adapting Your Language Style to Diverse Listeners
Crafting Memorable Word Structures

 

Chapter 11: Delivering Your Speech
The Power of Speech Delivery
Methods of Delivery
Characteristics of Effective Delivery
Audience Diversity and Delivery
Rehearsing Your Speech: Some Final Tips
Delivering Your Speech
Responding to Questions

 

Chapter 12: Using Presentation Aids
The Value of Presentation Aids
Types of Presentation Aids
Guidelines for Developing Presentation Aids
Guidelines for Using Presentation Aids

 

Chapter 13: Speaking to Inform




Types of Informative Speeches
Strategies to Enhance Audience Understanding
Strategies to Maintain Audience Interest
Strategies to Enhance Audience Recall
Developing an Audience-Centered Informative Speech

 

Chapter 14: Understanding Principles of Persuasive Speaking
The Goals of Persuasion
How Persuasion Works
How to Motivate Listeners
How to Develop Your Audience-Centered Persuasive Speech

 

Chapter 15: Using Persuasive Strategies
Enhancing Your Credibility
Using Logic and Evidence to Persuade
Using Emotion to Persuade
Strategies for Adapting Ideas to People and People to Ideas
Strategies for Organizing Persuasive Messages

 

Chapter 16: Speaking for Special Occasions and Purposes
Public Speaking in the Workplace
Ceremonial Speaking
After-Dinner Speaking: Using Humor Effectively

 

Appendix A: Speaking in Small Groups 
Solving Problems in Groups and Teams 
Participating in Small Groups 
Leading Small Groups 

 

Appendix B: Speeches for Analysis and Discussion 
I Have a Dream, Martin Luther King Jr. 
2013 Inaugural Address, Barack Obama
Duke University Commencement Address, Melinda Gates
You’re Not Special, David McCullough, Jr.
Elvis, Angelitta Armijo