The Art of Public Speaking

Designed to help students not only become better public speakers but more importantly, better conversationalists and listeners, The Art of Public Speaking (ISBN 9780073406732) is a best-selling reference by Stephen Lucas. It successfully demonstrates the essential principles of effective public speaking and how it can be used to share information and influence listeners. The textbook starts by introducing the concepts of speaking and listening, carefully explaining the basics of speaking in public, the importance of paying attention, and ethics. It then moves on to speech preparation and getting started. Ideas and suggestions on selecting a topic and researching about a subject are also explained, along with how to organize and outline the information to create a speech. Author Stephen Lucas reinforces the importance of organizing and outlining speeches and proper delivery with the use of visual aids. Different types of public speaking (such as speaking for persuasion, speaking in small groups, and speaking to inform) are also introduced to students in the last few chapters. This edition has been upgraded with more model speeches for analysis and discussion, inspiring students to write and deliver effective and motivational speeches. The exhaustive selection of examples and materials were thoughtfully prepared to provide instructors the guidance they need to teach public speaking effectively, and to encourage student participation and intelligent debate. Lucas is currently a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has authored several award-winning books, including Portents of Rebellion: Rhetoric and Revolution in Philadelphia and The Rhetorical Ancestry of the Declaration of Independence.