PUBLIC SPEAKING: PLANNING, PATTERNING AND PRESENTING

by DANIEL J. O'NEILL
1st edition, 163 pages, $18.95
ISBN 978-0-89641-205-7 

 

This text is written for the undergraduate level course in Public Speaking. It focuses on how to gather information, shape information into a speech, and present the speech effectively to the audience. This text is written in a straight forward style that students can easily comprehend. Readings accompany each chapter as extended and supplemental material on some aspect of the topic developed in the preceding chapter. Each chapter concludes with activity suggestions to expand student knowledge about speechmaking.

CONTENTS

Chapter 1: THE COMPONENTS IN THE SPEECH COMMUNICATION PROCESS
Public Communication
Public Speaking in the Rhetorical Tradition
Citizenship in These Times
Interpersonal Communication
Models of the Process of Communication
Review
Reading: The Process of Human Communication

Chapter 2: PLANNING THE PUBLIC COMMUNICATION
Choosing an Interesting Subject
Determining the Central Purpose
Speaking to Inform
Speaking to Persuade
Gathering Materials
Analyzing the Audience
Types of Audiences
Evaluating the Occasion
Conclusion
Reading: Identifying Critical Issue Speech Topics Utilizing the Nominal Group Technique

Chapter 3: ORGANIZING THE PUBLIC DISCLOSURE
Choosing the Main Points
Proceeding from One Idea to Another Idea
Patterning
Introducing the Speech
Concluding the Speech
Steps in Effective Organization
An Organizational Plot
Reading: A Summary of Research on Order Effects in Communication

Chapter 4: AMPLIFYING THE PUBLIC MESSAGE
Real and Hypothetical Examples
Specific Instances and Verbal Illustrations
Comparison and Contrast
Simple Facts and Statistics
Quotation
Logical Support of Ideas
Communication Aids: Visual and Verbal
Electronic Projectors as Visual and Verbal Aids
Conclusion
Reading: The Impact of Evidence on Decision Making

Chapter 5: LANGUAGE AND STYLE IN HUMAN COMMUNICATION
Human Language Development
The Dimensions of Language Meaning
Style
Major Characteristics of Good Oral Style
Reading: Style analysis of Matin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech
Slang as an Important Part of our Lives

Chapter 6: PRESENTING THE PUBLIC SPEECH
The Vocal Mechanism
Characteristics of a Good Speaking Voice
Speaking in a Conversational Manner
Stage Fright
Physical Characteristics of Delivery
Rehearsal
The Presentation
Conclusion
Reading: Talking the Terror Out of Talk

About the Author

Daniel J. O’Neill is a Professor of Communication and Theatre at Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio.