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Exploring Public Speaking, 4th Edition

The Open College Public Speaking Textbook

by Barbara TuckerMatthew LeHew
Contributors: Amy BurgerChad DanielJerry DryeCathy HunsickerAmy Mendes

Exploring Public Speaking is a usable, zero-cost textbook for basic public speaking courses or courses that include basic public speaking skills as one of their primary learning outcomes. The free, open nature of the text means that instructors are able to use all or part of it, and add their own materials.

Standout features include coverage of PowerPoint, audience analysis and responsiveness, ethics in public speaking, persuasion, special occasion speeches, and structure of speeches. Because it was written by communication professors with decades of experience in the classroom, Exploring Public Speaking is made to fit the needs of basic public speaking students.

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Authors and Contributors

Barbara G. Tucker (Editor and Primary Author)

As chair of the Department of Communication at Dalton State College, Dr. Tucker oversees programs in communication, general studies, music, theatre, and interdisciplinary studies. She is Professor of Communication and has worked in higher education for over 40 years. She lives in Ringgold, Georgia, with her husband; they have one son. She is a novelist and playwright. Her research areas are the basic course, open educational resources, historical perspectives on rhetoric, and gratitude.

Matthew LeHew (Editor)

As Assistant Professor at Dalton State College, Matthew LeHew teaches courses in public relations, integrated marketing communication, film studies, and video production. His research interests include various areas of media studies, especially examination of virtual communities for online games. He is currently writing his dissertation for the Ph.D. in Communication (Media and Society track) at Georgia State University. He lives in Marietta, Georgia with his wife, son, and two dogs.

Amy Burger (Chapter 5, Appendix E and F)

Amy Burger is a reference and instruction librarian at Dalton State College. She is also pursuing a master’s degree in English with a concentration in rhetoric and professional writing from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She lives in Northwest Georgia with her husband Ross and their pets.

Chad Daniel (Chapter 11/Expert Advice on the Voice from an Acting Instructor)

Chad has his Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre from Southern Methodist University and over twenty years of teaching and professional experience. Chad has performed and directed in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Nashville, Austin; Lyon, France and London, England. He has spent three years studying Voice and Speech with some of the best teachers in the industry, and eight years teaching Voice at various institutions throughout the Southeast.

Jerry Drye (Appendix D)

Jerry Drye is a professional humorist, public speaker, and educator. His career has included work as a comedian, motivational humorist, broadcaster, conference and workshop leader, and educator. He is a gifted storyteller and award winning professor. He has been called the “…ultimate entertainer (Venable),” and “…the best combination of Humor and Humanity I have ever seen (Hawkins).” He earned the B.S. and M.S. degrees in Organizational Communication at Murray State University where he served as a graduate teaching assistant. He obtained the Ed.S. degree in Adult Education from the University of Georgia. His teaching career includes stops at Clemson University and Dalton State College. He has studied and practiced the craft of public address and the humor arts for many years. He is in high demand as a keynote speaker, workshop leader, and consultant. He teaches college classes in Humor Communication, Public Speaking, Human Communication, and Organizational Communication. He has performed in concert halls, corporate board rooms, educational institutions, and churches and faith-based organizations. His motto is “Laughter is not a luxury; it is a necessity.”

Cathy Hunsicker (Appendix B, Parts 3, 4, 5, and 6)

Prior to obtaining credits to teach communication courses, Ms. Hunsicker taught reading and study skills for thirty years. She developed courses in reading, study skills, and problem solving for academic institutions and businesses, such as Reading Area Community College, Alvernia College, and the Reading Eagle in Reading,PA; Dalton State College, Dalton, GA; various county associations and institutions in Berks County, PA; and Agere Systems (formerly AT&T) plants in Reading, Allentown, and Breiningsville, PA. Working with students with learning disabilities at the college level led to Ms. Hunsicker honing her repertoire of cognitive strategies and problem solving skills to assist all kinds of students, especially adults, in acquiring an enriched learning experience to further their education and/or seek promotion on the job.

Amy Mendes (Appendix B, Part 7)

Amy Mendes is a Lecturer in the Communication Department at Dalton State College. Her approach to teaching Public Speaking is very student centered. She believes that every individual has a story to tell if given the right tools, and cherishes the opportunity to help students find those tools. Ms. Mendes attended Berry College for her undergraduate degree in Communication, and earned a Master’s in Communication from Westchester University. She is currently working on her dissertation to complete a doctorate in Higher Education Administration. Amy is married to Dr. Vincent Mendes, and they have three lovely girls who eschew public speaking as much as possible.

Table of Contents

  • Introduction to the Fourth Edition of Exploring Public Speaking
  • Authors and Contributors
  • Chapter 1: The Basics of Public Speaking
    • 1.1 – What is Public Speaking?
    • 1.2 – Anxiety and Public Speaking
    • 1.3 - Understanding the Process of Public Speaking
    • 1.4 – The Value of Public Speaking in Your Life
    • 1.5 – Getting Started in Public Speaking
    • Conclusion
  • Chapter 2: Audience Analysis and Listening
    • 2.1 – The Importance of Audience Analysis
    • 2.2 – Demographic Characteristics
    • 2.3 – Psychographic Characteristics
    • 2.4 – Contextual Factors of Audience Analysis
    • 2.5 – Listening in Public Speaking Settings
    • Conclusion
  • Chapter 3: Ethics in Public Speaking
    • 3.1 – Sources of Ethical Stances on Communication and Public Speaking
    • 3.2 – Credibility and Ethics
    • 3.3 – Plagiarism
    • Conclusion
  • Chapter 4: Developing Topics for Your Speech
    • 4.1 – Getting Started with Your Topic and Purpose
    • 4.2 – Formulating a Specific Purpose Statement
    • 4.3 – Formulating a Central Idea Statement
    • 4.4 – Problems to Avoid with Specific Purpose and Central Idea Statements
    • Conclusion
  • Chapter 5: Researching Your Speeches
    • 5.1 – Research
    • 5.2 – Accessing Information Through a Library
    • 5.3 – Research on the Internet
    • 5.4 – Conducting Your Own Research
    • Conclusion
  • Chapter 6: Organizing and Outlining Your Speech
    • 6.1 – Why We Need Organization in Speeches
    • 6.2 - Patterns of Organization
    • 6.3 – Connective Statements
    • 6.4 – Outlining
    • Conclusion
  • Chapter 7: Supporting Your Speech Ideas
    • 7.1 – Why Supporting Materials are Needed
    • 7.2 – Types of Supporting Materials
    • 7.3 – Attention Factors and Supporting Material
    • Conclusion
  • Chapter 8: Introductions and Conclusions
    • 8.1 – General Guidelines for Introductions and Conclusions
    • 8.2 – Structuring the Introduction
    • 8.3 – Examples of Introductions
    • 8.4 – Structuring the Conclusion
    • 8.5 – Examples of Conclusions
  • Chapter 9: Presentation Aids in Speaking
    • 9.1 - What Are Presentation Aids?
    • 9.2 – Functions of Presentation Aids
    • 9.3 – Types of Presentation Aids
    • 9.4 – Using Presentation Slides
    • 9.5 – Low-Tech Presentation Aids
    • Conclusion
  • Chapter 10: Language
    • 10.1 – What Language Is and Does
    • 10.2 – Standards for Language in Public Speaking
    • 10.3 – Developing Your Ability to Use Effective Language in Public Speaking
    • Conclusion
  • Chapter 11: Delivery
    • 11.1 – The Importance of Delivery
    • 11.2 – Methods of Speech Delivery
    • 11.3 – Preparing For Your Delivery
    • 11.4 – Practicing Your Delivery
    • 11.5 – What to Do When Delivering Your Speech
    • 11.6 - Expert Advice on the Voice from an Acting Instructor
    • Conclusion
  • Chapter 12: Informative Speaking
    • 12.1 – What is an Informative Speech?
    • 12.2 – Types of Informative Speeches
    • 12.3 – Guidelines for Selecting an Informative Speech Topic
    • 12.4 – Guidelines for Preparing an Informative Speech
    • 12.5 – Giving Informative Speeches in Groups
    • Conclusion
    • Sample Outline: Informative Speech on Lord Byron
    • Sample Outline: Informative Speech on Haunted Places in Gettysburg
  • Chapter 13: Persuasive Speaking
    • 13.1 – Why Persuade?
    • 13.2 – A Definition of Persuasion
    • 13.3 – Why is Persuasion Hard?
    • 13.4 – Traditional Views of Persuasion
    • 13.5 – Constructing a Persuasive Speech
    • Conclusion
    • Sample Outline: Persuasive Speech Using Topical Pattern
    • Sample Outline: Persuasive Speech Using Monroe’s Motivated Sequence Pattern
  • Chapter 14: Logical Reasoning
    • 14.1 – What is Correct Reasoning?
    • 14.2 – Inductive Reasoning
    • 14.3 – Deductive Reasoning
    • 14.4 – Logical Fallacies
    • Conclusion
  • Chapter 15: Special Occasion Speaking
    • 15.1 – Understanding Special Occasion Speeches
    • 15.2 – Types of Special Occasion Speeches
    • 15.3 – Special Occasion Language
    • 15.4 – Special Occasion Delivery
    • Conclusion
  • Appendix A: Cultural Diversity in Public Speaking
    • Benefits and Challenges
    • Implications
  • Appendix B: Succeeding as a College Student
    • Part 1: How To Be a College Student
    • Part 2: Learning to Learn
    • Part 3: Reading Your Textbooks and Other Resources
    • Part 4: Effective Memorization
    • Part 5: Test Anxiety/Speech Anxiety
    • Part 6: Test-taking
    • Part 7: Avoiding Plagiarism
  • Appendix C: Public Speaking Online
    • Preparation for Online Speaking
    • During the Web Speech
    • Ending
    • Speaking for an Online Class
    • Conclusion
  • Appendix D: Funny Talk: The Art and Craft of Using Humor in Public Address
    • Humor and Audiences: Positives and Negatives
    • Humorous Speaking Tips
      • Positive Aspects
      • Negative Aspects
  • Appendix E: APA Citation
    • E.1– Citation
    • E.2—When to Cite
    • E.3- Elements of Citation
    • E.4-APA Resources
    • E.5-Reference List
  • Appendix F: Research with Dalton State Library Resources
    • “GIL-Find,” the Library Catalog
    • GALILEO
  • Appendix G: Glossary
  • Appendix H: References
  • Appendix I: Sample Outlines and Formats
    • Informative Speech on Types of Coffee Around the World
    • Persuasive Speech on Reading During Leisure Time
    • Sample Format 1
    • Sample Format 2
    • Sample Format 3
  • Appendix J: Case Studies

Metadata

  • rights
    Creative Commons License
    This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
  • edition
    4
  • publisher
    University System of Georgia
  • publisher place
    Athens, GA

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