The Art of Public Speaking

Students who use Lucas' book are presented not simply with an excellent text for preparation and delivery of speeches, but also with a website full of information, examples and tips. While this is intended for a classroom setting (the teacher's edition comes with a lot of supplements to help enhance the learning experience for the students), those who want to learn about the mechanics and processes of public speaking on their own would not be ill served by using this text.

There are some signature features that make this a very good text for students, both independent and classroom based. The internet connection is but one, not only the website associated with the book, but also tips on using the vast resources of the internet wisely and efficiently. There is a strong coverage of ethics, to help students avoid the problems of plagiarism (intentional and inadvertent), as well as how to listen properly (without attaching personal agenda or false meaning to interpretation). The book is very visually interesting, with colourful pages, pictures, charts, and examples of things that might be used to make speeches more interesting. The text is written with the student in mind - it is not a book by experts for experts, and thus keeps the language at a basic level without sacrificing clarity.

The book itself is organised into broad sections: Speaking and Listening; Getting Started; Organising and Outlining; Speech Presentation; and finally Varieties of Public Speaking. There are few things that inspire more fear in many people than the prospect of having to deliver a public speech - the first chapter deals with some of this anxiety issue, as well as helping the students to understand the role of the listener (a role that most of us assume far more often than we realise). The sections on Speech Preparation cover the range from selecting the idea, understanding the audience and doing research to organising the speech from beginning to end in a logical, meaningful, and interesting manner.

While the section on preparation might be consider by many to be the most important, the section on speech delivery is perhaps the most vital, for a good speech poorly delivered will likely not have much impact, whereas a poor speech delivered with great power can often have great influence. This section deals with issues of language, delivery, body language, personal presentation, as well as the use of visual aids (when they are and are not appropriate).

There are different types of speeches, and these are covered in the final section. Speeches can be used to inform (like lectures), to persuade (much of political speech is like this, as are sermons), or in special occasions such as introducing people, presenting awards, accepting honours, or speeches of commemoration and memorial. There is also a section on small-group speaking - most people don't attribute the idea of `giving a speech' to speaking in board rooms, committees, etc., but this requires a special kind of rhetorical skill.

Overall, this is an excellent text for coming to understand the art of public speaking from beginning to end.

For both beginning and advanced speakers -- really, anyone seeking to persuade others -- this is a FINE reference. The work is loaded with URLs and reference sources for research purposes. You'll definitely want to keep this book on the shelf within handy reach. The chapter on "Speaking to Persuade" is especially useful for getting commitment from others. I recommend the work particularly to business professionals who want good, solid advice on how to construct and deliver effective communications. In addition, the author has provided exceptionally well-integrated support materials to ensure proper understanding of the concepts. Teachers and trainers will find the bank of test materials and workshop exercises extremely helpful. Also, the CD presents highlights from such outstanding speakers as Barbara Bush, John F. Kennedy, Elizabeth Dole and Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

If you're like most people, you find yourself feeling a bit nervous when you need to face groups of people to make presentations or give talks. Some of this nervousness fades with time and experience, but if you read this book you'll have a definite advantage -- you'll be prepared!

I read this book in order to improve my public speaking skills, and I have found it to be consistently informative, helpful, clear, and inspirational. This book is most useful for those who have very little public speaking experience, and it provides guidelines for determining the purpose of your talk, giving some thought to who your audience will be, doing research, supporting your ideas, organizing the talk, and keeping the audience's interest while you're talking. I especially love the sample speeches provided in this book, and the side-bars for illustrating key concepts and ideas.

Anyone planning to speak in public will benefit from reading this book as they prepare!

I have taught from this book for almost five years now; it is in its seventh edition, has a CD Rom now that includes video clips. The book is comprehensive, and no single semester course can cover everything in it; but I think it is a great book to teach from. First, it is WELL WRITTEN. Next, it is organized well. Finally, the speeches it contains are great examples---both student speeches, and those from the public sector. I recommend to all my students NOT to sell it, but to keep it for reference later.

This is the textbook that our community college department uses to teach public speaking. I've taught from this text since the third edition, about 10 years. Lucas updates the book to keep the examples timely and the speech selections fresh. I've seen some reviews that talk about a political bias, either to the right or left. I don't detect that. In persuasive speaking, we want students to address controversial issues such as abortion, gun control, and health care, for example. Sometimes they argue to the left or sometimes to the right, but Lucas outlines the tools for good persuasive speaking. I like the emphasis on ethics. The logical fallacies (red herring, either-or, bandwagon, slippery slope, ad hominem) section is a valuable tool in critical thinking. The emphasis on internationalism, which most students will increasingly find relevant during their business careers, is excellent. The examples in the text do illustrate the main points, while the CD allows students to see clips of public speakers, bringing the craft alive. If Oprah, Larry King & Barbara Walters can earn over $50,000 per speaking engagement and Bill Clinton brings in over $250,000, it is a potentially valuable skill. For promotion and success in business, communication is essential. This is an excellent text for purposes of study. Enjoy!