Dan O’Hair is professor of communication in the Department of Communication at the University of Kentucky. He is past presidential professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Oklahoma and past president of the National Communication Association. He is coauthor or co-editor of 24 communication texts and scholarly volumes and has published more than ninety research articles and chapters in dozens of communication, psychology, and health journals and books. He is a frequent presenter at national and international communication conferences and is on the editorial boards of various journals.
Hannah Rubenstein is a writer, editor, and part-time college instructor who has used her academic training in communication (MA, Fairfield University) to guide her collaborations on A Pocket Guide to Public Speaking, A Speakers Guidebook, Public Speaking: Challenges and Choices, and other successful college texts. She heads her own communication firm, Hedgehog Productions, and teaches the basic public speaking course at University of Bridgeport and other Connecticut colleges.
Rob Stewart is the Senior Vice Provost and professor of communication studies at Texas Tech University. He is coauthor of A Speakers Guidebook , and five editions of A Pocket Guide to Public Speaking , and has published more than 30 articles and book chapters.
PART 1: Getting Started
Chapter 1: Becoming a Public Speaker
Gain a Vital Life Skill
Advance Your Professional Goals
Enhance Your Career as a Student
Find New Opportunities for Civic Engagement
The Classical Roots of Public Speaking
Learning to Speak in Public
Draw on Conversational Skills
Draw on Skills in Composition
Develop an Effective Oral Style
Demonstrate Respect for Difference
Public Speaking as a Form of Communication
Public Speaking as an Interactive Communication Process
Chapter 2: From A to Z: Overview of a Speech
Analyze the Audience
Determine the Speech Purpose
Compose a Thesis Statement
Develop the Main Points
Gather Supporting Materials
Arrange the Speech into Its Major Parts
Outline the Speech
Consider Presentation Aids
Practice Delivering the Speech
Chapter 3: Managing Speech Anxiety
Identify What Makes You Anxious
Lack of Positive Experience
Being the Center of Attention
Pinpoint the Onset of Anxiety
Use Proven Strategies to Build Your Confidence
Prepare and Practice
Modify Thoughts and Attitudes
Activate the Relaxation Response
Use Stress-Control Breathing
Use Movement to Minimize Anxiety
Learn from Feedback
Chapter 4: Ethical Public Speaking
Demonstrate Competence and Character
Respect Your Listeners’ Values
Contribute to Positive Public Discourse
Use Your Rights of Free Speech Responsibly
Observe Ethical Ground Rules
Make Responsible Speech Choices
Orally Acknowledge Your Sources
Citing Quotations, Paraphrases, and Summaries
Fair Use, Copyright, and Ethical Speaking
Chapter 5: Listeners and Speakers
Recognize the Centrality of Listening
Recognize That We Listen Selectively
Anticipate Obstacles to Listening
Minimize External and Internal Distractions
Refrain from Multitasking
Guard against Scriptwriting and Defensive Listening
Beware of Laziness and Overconfidence
Work to Overcome Cultural Barriers
Practice Active Listening
Set Listening Goals
Listen for Main Ideas
Strive for the Open and Respectful Exchange of Ideas
Evaluate Evidence and Reasoning
Offer Constructive and Compassionate Feedback
PART 2: Development
Chapter 6: Analyzing the Audience
Adapt to Audience Psychology: Who Are Your Listeners?
"If the Value Fits, Use It"
Gauge Listeners’ Feelings toward the Topic
Gauge Listeners’ Feelings toward You as the Speaker
Gauge Listeners’ Feelings toward the Occasion
Adapt Your Message to Audience Demographics
Ethnic or Cultural Background
Gender and Sexual Orientation
Adapt to Diverse Audiences
Adapt to Cross-Cultural Values
Focus on Universal Values
Tools for Learning About Your Audience
Survey the Audience
Consult Published Sources
Analyze the Speech Setting and Context
Chapter 7: Selecting a Topic and Purpose
Explore Topics for Your Speech
Identify Personal Interests
Consider Current Events and Controversial Issues
Survey Grassroots Issues: Engage the Community
Steer Clear of Overused and Trivial Topics
Try Brainstorming to Generate Ideas
Use Internet Tools
Identify the General Purpose of Your Speech
Refine the Topic and Purpose
Narrow Your Topic
Form a Specific Speech Purpose
Compose a Thesis Statement
From Source to Speech: Narrowing Your Topic to Fit Your Audience
Chapter 8: Developing Supporting Material
Draw on Testimony
Provide Facts and Statistics
Use Statistics Accurately
Use Frequencies to Indicate Counts
Use Percentages to Express Proportion
Use Types of Averages Accurately
Use Statistics Selectively—and Memorably
Present Statistics Ethically
Chapter 9: Finding Credible Sources in Print and Online
Assess Your Research Needs
Use Library Databases to Access Credible Sources
Recognize Propaganda, Misinformation, and Disinformation
Investigate a Mix of Primary and Secondary Sources
Explore Primary Sources
Consider Personal Knowledge and Experience
Access Government Information
Explore Digital Collections
Explore Secondary Sources
Wikipedia—Dos and Don’ts
From Source to Speech: Evaluating Web Sources
Chapter 10: Citing Sources in Your Speech
Alert Listeners to Key Source Information
Establish the Source’s Trustworthiness
Qualify the Source
Avoid a Mechanical Delivery
Vary the Wording
Types of Sources and Sample Oral Citations
Article in a Journal, Newspaper, or Magazine
Television or Radio Program
Testimony (Lay or Expert)
Interview and Other Personal Communication
PART 3: Organization
Chapter 11: Organizing the Body of the Speech
Use Main Points to Make Your Major Claims
Restrict the Number of Main Points
Restrict Each Main Point to a Single Idea
Use the Purpose and Thesis Statements as Guides
Use Supporting Points to Substantiate Your Claims
Pay Close Attention to Coordination and Subordination
Principles of Coordination and Subordination
Strive for a Unified, Coherent, and Balanced Organization
Use Transitions to Give Direction to the Speech
Use Transitions between Speech Points
Use Internal Previews and Summaries as Transitions
From Point to Point: Using Transitions to Guide Your Listeners
Chapter 12: Selecting an Organizational Pattern
Arranging Speech Points Chronologically
Arranging Speech Points Using a Spatial Pattern
Arranging Speech Points Using a Causal (Cause-Effect) Pattern
Arranging Speech Points Using a Problem-Solution Pattern
Arranging Speech Points Topically
Arranging Speech Points Using a Narrative Pattern
Chapter 13: Preparing Outlines for the Speech
Plan on Creating Two Outlines
Use Sentences, Phrases, or Key Words
Use a Key-Word Outline for Optimal Eye Contact
Create a Working Outline First
Sample Working Outline
Prepare a Speaking Outline for Delivery
Sample Speaking Outline
PART 4: Starting, Finishing, and Styling
Chapter 14: Developing the Introduction and Conclusion
Preparing the Introduction
Gain Audience Attention
Use a Quotation
Establish Common Ground
Offer Unusual Information
Preview the Topic, Purpose, and Main Points
Establish Credibility as a Speaker
Motivate the Audience to Accept Your Goals
Preparing the Conclusion
Signal the End of the Speech and Provide Closure
Summarize the Key Points
Reiterate the Topic and Speech Purpose
Challenge the Audience to Respond
Make the Conclusion Memorable
Chapter 15: Using Language
Use an Oral Style
Strive for Simplicity
Make Frequent Use of Repetition
Use Personal Pronouns
Choose Concrete Language and Vivid Imagery
Offer Vivid Imagery
Use Figures of Speech
Avoid Clichés, Mixed Metaphors, and Faulty Analogies
Choose Words That Build Credibility
Use Words Appropriately
Use Words Accurately
Use the Active Voice
Use Inclusive, Unbiased Language
Choose Words That Create a Lasting Impression
Use Repetition to Create Rhythm
Use Alliteration for a Poetic Quality
Experiment with Parallelism
PART 5: Delivery
Chapter 16: Methods of Delivery
Keys to Effective Delivery
Select a Method of Delivery
Speaking from Manuscript
Speaking from Memory
Chapter 17: Your Voice in Delivery
Adjust Your Speaking Volume
Vary Your Intonation
Adjust Your Speaking Rate
Use Strategic Pauses
Strive for Vocal Variety
Carefully Pronounce and Articulate Words
Use Dialect (Language Variation) with Care
Chapter 18: Your Body in Delivery
Pay Attention to Body Language
Animate Your Facial Expressions
Maintain Eye Contact
Use Gestures That Feel Natural
Create a Feeling of Immediacy
Maintain Good Posture
Practice the Delivery
Focus on the Message
Plan Ahead and Practice Often
From Weak to Confident Delivery: Enhancing Your Delivery with Body Language
PART 6: Presentation Aids
Chapter 19: Speaking with Presentation Aids
Select an Appropriate Aid
Props and Models
Graphs, Charts, and Tables
Audio, Video, and Multimedia
Options for Showing Presentation Aids
Chalkboards and Whiteboards
Chapter 20: Designing Presentation Aids
Keep the Design Simple
Use Design Elements Consistently
Select Appropriate Type Styles and Fonts
Use Color Carefully
Consider Subjective Interpretations of Color
Chapter 21: Using Presentation Software
Give a Speech, Not a Slide Show
Avoid Technical Glitches
Find Media for Presentations
Avoid Copyright Infringement
From Slide Show to Presentation: Getting Ready to Deliver a PowerPoint, Keynote, or Prezi Presentation
PART 7: Types of Speeches
Chapter 22: Informative Speaking
Use Audience Analysis
Present New and Interesting Information
Look for Ways to Increase Understanding
Subject Matter of Informative Speeches
Decide How to Communicate Your Information
Take Steps to Reduce Confusion
Use Analogies to Build on Prior Knowledge
Appeal to Different Learning Styles
Arrange Points in a Pattern
Sample Informative Speech: Going Carbon Neutral on Campus
Chapter 23: Principles of Persuasive Speaking
Persuasive Speeches Appeal to Human Psychology
Classical Persuasive Appeals: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos
Appeal to Reason
Appeal to Emotion
Appeal to Credibility
Contemporary Persuasive Appeals: Needs and Motivations
Appeal to What Motivates Audience Members
Appeal to Audience Members’ Needs
Encourage Mental Engagement
Demonstrate Speaker Credibility
Stages in Speaker Credibility
Consider Cultural Orientation
Chapter 24: Constructing the Persuasive Speech
Identify the Nature of Your Claims
Use Convincing Evidence
Offer Secondary Sources ("External Evidence")
Offer Speaker Expertise as Evidence
Offer Evidence That Appeals to Audience Needs and Motivations
Counterarguments: Addressing the Other Side
Avoid Fallacies in Reasoning
Strengthen Your Case with Organization
What Do Your Claims and Evidence Suggest?
What Response Do You Seek?
What is the Audience’s Disposition?
Problem-Solution Pattern of Arrangement
Comparative Advantage Pattern of Arrangement
Monroe’s Motivated Sequence
Step 1: Attention
Step 3: Satisfaction
Step 4: Visualization
Refutation Pattern of Arrangement
Sample Persuasive Speech: Becoming a Socially Conscious Consumer
Chapter 25: Speaking on Special Occasions
Functions of Special Occasion Speeches
Types of Special Occasion Speeches
Speeches of Introduction
Speeches of Acceptance
Speeches of Presentation
Roasts and Toasts
Eulogies and Other Tributes
Speeches of Inspiration
Sample Special Occasion Speech: 2017
University of Southern California Commencement Address by Will Ferrell
PART 8: Online, Group, and Business Contexts
Chapter 26: Preparing Online Presentations
Apply Your Knowledge of Face-to-Face Speaking
Plan for the Unique Demands of Online Delivery
Know the Equipment
Focus on Vocal Variety
Provide Superior Visual Aids
Plan the Delivery Mode
Choose an Online Presentation Format
Chapter 27: Communicating in Groups
Plan on Assuming Dual Roles
Center Disagreements around Issues
Adopt an Effective Leadership Style
Encourage Active Participation
Use Reflective Thinking
Chapter 28: Delivering Group Presentations
Use Group Communication Guidelines
Analyze the Audience and Set Goals
Establish Information Needs
Assign Roles and Tasks
Establish Transitions between Speakers
Consider the Presenters’ Strengths
Coordinate the Presentation Aids
Rehearse the Presentation Several Times
Presenting in Panels, Symposia, and Forums
Chapter 29: Business and Professional Presentations
Become Familiar with Reports and Proposals
The Sales Proposal
The Staff Report
PART 9: Speaking in Other College Courses
Chapter 30: Presentations Assigned across the Curriculum
Journal Article Review
The Service Learning Presentation
The Poster Presentation
Debate Sides, Resolutions, and Formats
Advance Strong Arguments
Prepare for Different Types of Audiences
Chapter 31: Science and Mathematics Courses
Preparing Effective Presentations in Science and Mathematics
Process Analysis Presentation
Field Study Presentation
Chapter 32: Technical Courses
Preparing Effective Technical Presentations
Engineering Design Review
Architecture Design Review
Request for Funding
Chapter 33: Social Science Courses
Preparing Effective Presentations in the Social Sciences
Review of the Literature Presentation
Program Evaluation Presentation
Policy Proposal Presentation
Chapter 34: Arts and Humanities Courses
Preparing Effective Arts and Humanities Presentations
Presentations of Interpretation and Analysis
Presentations That Compare and Contrast
Chapter 35: Education Courses
Preparing Effective Education Presentations
Delivering a Lecture
Facilitating a Group Activity
Facilitating a Classroom Discussion
Chapter 36: Nursing and Allied Health Courses
Preparing Effective Presentations in Nursing and Allied Health Courses
Evidence-Based Practice Presentation
Clinical Case Study Presentation
Quality Improvement Proposal
Treatment Plan Report
Appendix A: Citation Guidelines
Appendix B: Question-and-Answer Sessions
Protocol during the Session
Handling Hostile and Otherwise Troubling Questions
Ending the Session
Appendix C: Preparing for TV and Radio Communication
Speaking on Television
Eye Contact, Body Movements, and Voice
Dress and Makeup
Speaking on Radio: The Media Interview
Appendix D: Tips for Non-Native Speakers of English
Consider Your Context and Audience
Capitalize on Your Language Uniqueness
Practice, Practice, Practice
Focus on Your Pronunciation
LaunchPad for the Sixth Edition now delivers a comprehensive, easy, assignable media and assessment package. New and updated features:
A wealth of new research, content, and tools to give students what they need to succeed:
Current examples help students engage with course material. New examples include the student activists from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, who use public speaking to influence civic discourse about gun violence, and an excerpt from Emma Watson’s powerful United Nations speech about the HeForShe campaign.
Loaded with new speech models on hot topics and new videos:
