Product Description

Speaking with a Purpose provides the reader with the "nuts and bolts" needed to become effective public speakers. Intentionally brief, this text allows the reader to concentrate on the preparation, practice, and presentation of their speeches without getting bogged down by theoretical discussions. The focus on purpose and audience response, which incorporates consideration of cultural diversity, helps the reader identify ways to make their speeches more effective. Highly popular and practical, this is the best of the brief books available on the subject.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #520616 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

From the Back Cover

Speaking with a Purpose provides students with the “nuts and bolts” needed to become effective public speakers.

Intentionally brief, this text allows students to concentrate on the preparation, practice, and presentation of their speeches without getting bogged down by theoretical discussions. The focus on purpose and audience response, which incorporates consideration of cultural diversity, helps students identify ways to make their speeches more effective. Highly popular and practical, this text is the best of the brief books available on the subject.

New to the Seventh Edition

• The first chapter, “The Communicative Act,” has been extensively revised to include an expanded discussion of speaking purposively in an easy, natural way, as well as coverage of listening, speech anxiety, and developing confidence – previously in Chapters 3 and 8.
• Chapter 2 now has expanded coverage of the central idea, presenting guidelines on developing a clear, comprehensive central idea statement.
• The new edition includes an updated and expanded discussion of the various audio/visual aids and effective strategies for incorporating them into presentations.
• “Gathering Supporting Materials,” chapter 5, has been updating to include a solid discussion of using internet resources to research a speech.
• Chapter 7 now offers five objectives to consider when planning an introduction or conclusion to a speech, as well as more instruction on developing an outline, a key skill for students to master.

Customer Reviews

For any type of public speaking
I agree with the book description above that this is the best of the short books available on the subject.

It's very thorough for a book this size, and would be good for anyone doing any kind of public speaking, whether in church, in business, in college organizations, before the press, in politics and government, or even in high school debate teams or speech classes.

There are chapters on Audience Analysis; Supporting Your Ideas; Stage Fright; Impromptu Speeches; Nonverbal Communication; Persuasion; Deductive and Inductive Reasoning, and even one on The Job Interview! There is a lot here in one neat little package!

Good Basic Speech Text
This text is a good one for basic speech students. It amplifies the rhetorical canons and is straight-forward and clear.

Worked for me!
I used this book in class and I was totally satisfied with how well I did. I think it covered the material in a really understandable way. If your class is using this book - be happy!