public speaking essay pdf

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Public Speaking and Presentations

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Public Speaking and Presentations: Tips for Success

This resource includes tips and suggestions for improving your public speaking skills.

Even if you’ve never spoken in front of a large group before, chances are you will encounter public speaking sometime during your life. Whether you’re giving a presentation for your classmates or addressing local politicians at a city council meeting, public speaking allows you to convey your thoughts and feelings in clear ways. Having the right tools can prepare you for successful public speaking and equip you with high-quality communication skills.

Know Your Audience

Different audiences require different modes of public speaking. How you address a room full of preschoolers will vary from how you address a group of professors at an academic conference. Not only will your vocabulary change, but you might alter your pacing and tone as well.

Knowing your audience also helps you decide the content of your speech. For example, if you’re presenting research to a group of scientists, you might not need to define all your scientific language. However, if you present that same research to a group of individuals who are unfamiliar with your scientific field, you may need to define your terms or use simpler language.

Recognizing the extent to which your audience is familiar with your topic helps you center your presentation around the most important elements and avoid wasting time on information your audience either 1) already knows or 2) does not need to know for the purpose of your speech.

Knowing your audience also means tailoring your information to them. Try to keep things straight and to the point; leave out extraneous anecdotes and irrelevant statistics.

Establish Your Ethos and Feel Confident in Your Subject

It’s important to let your audience know what authority you have over your subject matter. If it’s clear you are familiar with your subject and have expertise, your audience is more likely to trust what you say.

Feeling confident in your subject matter will help establish your ethos. Rather than simply memorizing the content on your PowerPoint slides or your note cards, consider yourself a “mini expert” on your topic. Read up on information related to your topic and anticipate questions from the audience. You might want to prepare a few additional examples to use if people ask follow-up questions. Being able to elaborate on your talking points will help you stay calm during a Q & A section of your presentation.

Stick to a Few Main Points

Organizing your information in a logical way not only helps you keep track of what you’re saying, but it helps your audience follow along as well. Try to emphasize a few main points in your presentation and return to them before you conclude. Summarizing your information at the end of your presentation allows your audience to walk away with a clear sense of the most important facts.

For example, if you gave a presentation on the pros and cons of wind energy in Indiana, you would first want to define wind energy to make sure you and your audience are on the same page. You might also want to give a brief history of wind energy to give context before you go into the pros and cons. From there, you could list a few pros and a few cons. Finally, you could speculate on the future of wind energy and whether Indiana could provide adequate land and infrastructure to sustain wind turbines. To conclude, restate a few of the main points (most likely the pros and cons) and end with the most important takeaway you want the audience to remember about wind energy in Indiana.

Don't be Afraid to Show Your Personality

Delivering information without any sort of flourish or style can be boring. Allowing your personality to show through your speaking keeps you feeling relaxed and natural. Even if you’re speaking about something very scientific or serious, look for ways to let your personality come through your speech.

For example, when Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek announced in March of 2019 that he had stage 4 pancreatic cancer, he still let his trademark dignity and professionalism set the tone for his address. He began his announcement by saying “it’s in keeping with my long-time policy of being open and transparent with our Jeopardy! fan base.” Later, he joked that he would need to overcome his illness in order to fulfill his contract, whose terms required him to host the show for three more years. Though the nature of Trebek's announcement could easily have justified a grim, serious tone, the host instead opted to display the charm that has made him a household name for almost thirty-five years. In doing so, he reminded his audience precisely why he is so well-loved.

Use Humor (When Appropriate)

Using humor at appropriate moments can keep your audience engaged and entertained. While not all occasions are appropriate for humor, look for moments where you can lighten the mood and add some humor.

For example, just two months after the assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan, Reagan was in the middle of giving a speech when a balloon loudly popped while he was speaking. Reagan paused his speech to say “missed me,” then immediately continued speaking. This off-the-cuff humor worked because it was appropriate, spontaneous, and did not really distract from his message.

Similarly, at the end of his final White House Correspondents Dinner, Barack Obama concluded his speech by saying “Obama out” and dropping the mic. Once again, the humor did not distract from his message, but it did provide a light-hearted shift in his tone.  

Don't Let Visual Aids Distract From Your Presentation

Visual aids, such as PowerPoints or handouts, often go alongside presentations. When designing visual aids, be sure they do not distract from the content of your speech. Having too many pictures or animations can cause audience members to pay more attention to the visuals rather than what you’re saying.

However, if you present research that relies on tables or figures, having many images may help your audience better visualize the research you discuss. Be aware of the ways different types of presentations demand different types of visual aids.

Be Aware of Your Body Language

When it comes to giving a presentation, nonverbal communication is equally as important as what you’re saying. Having the appropriate posture, gestures, and movement complement the spoken element of your presentation. Below are a few simple strategies to make you appear more confident and professional.

Having confident posture can make or break a presentation. Stand up straight with your shoulders back and your arms at your sides. Slouching or crossing your arms over your chest makes you appear smaller and more insecure. However, be sure you’re not too rigid. Just because you’re standing up tall does not mean you cannot move around.

Eye contact

Making eye contact with your audience not only makes them feel connected to you but it also lets you gauge their response to you. Try to look around the room and connect with different audience members so you’re not staring at the same people the whole time. If you notice your audience starting to nod off, it might be a good time to change your tone or up your energy. 

Avoid distracting or compulsive gestures

While hand gestures can help point out information in a slide or on a poster, large or quick gestures can be distracting. When using gestures, try to make them feel like a normal part of your presentation.

It’s also easy to slip into nervous gestures while presenting. Things like twirling your hair or wringing your hands can be distracting to your audience. If you know you do something like this, try to think hard about not doing it while you’re presenting.

Travel (if possible)

If you are presenting on a stage, walking back and forth can help you stay relaxed and look natural. However, be sure you’re walking slowly and confidently and you’re using an appropriate posture (described above). Try to avoid pacing, which can make you appear nervous or compulsive.

Rehearse (if Possible)

The difference between knowing your subject and rehearsing comes down to how you ultimately present your information. The more you rehearse, the more likely you are to eliminate filler words such as like and um . If possible, try practicing with a friend and have them use count the filler words you use. You can also record yourself and play back the video. The more you rehearse, the more confident you will feel when it comes time to actually speak in front of an audience.

Finally, Relax!

Although public speaking takes time and preparation, perhaps one of the most important points is to relax while you’re speaking. Delivering your information in a stiff way prevents you from appearing natural and letting your personality come through. The more relaxed you feel, the more confident your information will come across.

Advanced Public Speaking

(7 reviews)

Lynn Meade, University of Arkansas

Copyright Year: 2021

Publisher: University of Arkansas

Language: English

Formats Available

Conditions of use.

Learn more about reviews.

Reviewed by Carly Middleton, Instructor, Butler University on 8/26/24

The author has done an exceptional job making this text comprehensive to the needs of advanced public speaking students. Building upon common themes taught in introductory public speaking courses, this text prepares students to ideate, write, and... read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

The author has done an exceptional job making this text comprehensive to the needs of advanced public speaking students. Building upon common themes taught in introductory public speaking courses, this text prepares students to ideate, write, and deliver messages to a variety of audiences. Because this text is comprehensive, you have the opportunity to focus on the chapters that are aligned with your unique course's student learning outcomes.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

Incorporating proper citations of credible research and scholars, this text is accurate to the discipline of public speaking. The author actively seeks to eliminate bias by integrating diverse perspectives and addressing real-world challenges students can encounter while speaking.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

Utilizing a mixed-medium approach keeps this text relevant for multi-semester course adoption. Furthermore, the author solicits the feedback of readers to add contributions and suggest edits. This dedication from the author is rarely seen in other similar texts across the discipline.

Clarity rating: 5

The author's use of a conversational writing style is highly engaging and easy to understand. The language the author integrates is designed to remove barriers for learners of all ages and stages. Jargon, when needed, is clearly explained and demystified.

Consistency rating: 5

The terms used throughout the text are accurately cross-listed and referenced. The author also promotes consistency by making connections between various examples and chapters.

Modularity rating: 5

The author follows industry-standard best practices for modularity with clear headings, focused chapters, and navigational buttons. This text's modularity allows students to easily find what they need or explore other chapters of interest to them.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The author was incredibly thoughtful in the organization of this text. The student-centered organization of this text allows them to quickly locate the information they need for an upcoming speech.

Interface rating: 5

The interface of this text is hard to rival. Students enjoy accessing this text on a variety of devices.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

While minor grammatical errors are present, they do not interfere with reader comprehension.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

The author addresses key opportunities speakers have to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in their content and delivery.

This has been a wonderful addition to a variety of my courses. I look forward to future updates!

Reviewed by Desire Baloubi, Full Professor, Norfolk State University on 11/14/23

Advanced Public Speaking has comprehensive content in the sense that it covers all imaginable aspects and areas of public speaking. The book includes definitions, steps, processes, ethics, and a myriad of practical examples of speech types from... read more

Advanced Public Speaking has comprehensive content in the sense that it covers all imaginable aspects and areas of public speaking. The book includes definitions, steps, processes, ethics, and a myriad of practical examples of speech types from diverse perspectives. It consists of 40 chapters written in an affable tone of counselling to students, teachers, or anyone willing to learn public speaking skills for any specific purpose. The text exposes potential learners to more practical strategies than theories.

The writer's research approach speaks volumes of the accuracy and credibility of the content. The author has collected data from multiple sources, i.e., public speaking practitioners, and presents the findings to end-users. Each chapter begins with an illustrating image, a quote, and concludes with a list of references. The amount and quality of the sources make the content of each chapter very credible.

From the onset, the preface or introduction, "Making the World a Better Place One Speech at a Time," sets the stage and tone of relevance. In fact, we are witnessing a new world order in which speeches can make a difference, for individuals fighting for civil rights, or for peoples struggling for self-determination and sovereignty. Confronted with increasing challenges of preventing wars, making and keeping peace, the Secretary-Generals of the United Nations have made more or less similar speeches to celebrate, inform, and persuade nations of this global organization. The needs to write and verbalize such speeches are still current and, therefore, relevant. This textbook is here to stay and is adaptable, as the author rightly claims. In support of that view, one may refer to the content of Chapter 39, among other sections of the book. Chapter 39. The Science of Persuasion: A Little Theory Goes a Long Way (As Desmond Tutu claims, “Don’t raise your voice, improve your argument.” Such a statement will always be true of persuasion. This chapter discusses “Elaboration Likelihood Model;” “Judgmental Heuristics;” “Authority;” “Liking;” “Commitment Consistency;” “Social Proof;” “Scarcity” as a powerful tool; “Reciprocity;” “Unity;” “Social Judgment Theory;” and “Ethics in Persuasion.” “In summary, if you provide people information and attempt to persuade them in small increments regardless of their prior beliefs, they can change their political attitude and that change will stick.” All the quotes above testify to the relevant and perennial nature of the textbook content. Technology may continue to change, but the fundamentals of Public Speaking--described in this book--will remain the same.

The book's clarity manifests itself through the author's straightforward use of language, stylistic choices, and the organization of ideas in an orderly manner, just the way it is recommended for any speech, written or oral. Each chapter is divided into short sections so as to make scanning for specific information easy to do. One would readily concur that the book is "Easy to Navigate." Clarity also transpires from the writer's tone that is most likely to make every student or reader feel comfortable. In sum, the author's language is as much accessible as the book itself is to all students.

The book's consistency is indisputable from multiple standpoints. First, the structure or internal organization of the content ideas. Each chapter has a title, an illustrating image, a quote from a notorious source, and short sections of clearly developed points that show more than they tell. Then each chapter ends with links to videos and a list of references for readers to doublecheck in-text citations or to read for further understanding. Second, the approach or process of presenting old and new information consistently matches or exemplifies the schematic model of each professional speechwriting or oral presentation. In other words, as the author puts it, the book is "written the same way you expect an effective speech to be written or presented." It is a matter of being cognizant of that reality and paying attention to it. Third, the book embodies diversity. It consistently proposes speeches from "all kinds of voices, from all kinds of places and opinions." It offers a broad range of examples from which to select withing a single chapter or across the entire textbook.

The book's modularity is easy to notice. Unlike most of the textbooks I have used in the last 20+ years of teaching Public Speaking, Advanced Public Speaking consists of 39 chapters and a fortieth chapter for teachers. The reason for this is because the author intentionally divides the text into short sections written in such a way that each is self-contained. The book does not read like a dense essay, a complex piece of fiction, a lengthy detective novel, or a kind of classical drama.

Here again, one may refer to what the author calls "Intentional Design." The flow here in this book simulates the same process one uses in information sharing, advising, or counselling. From the initial chapter to the last, the author defines concepts to reckon with while reading the following parts of the book. The book discusses the essential elements of communication The ingredients of an effective speech are demonstrated with examples in the form of how-to. Then, the author touches on speech anxiety or apprehension and how to overcome it. The speech making process, just like writing as a process, is shown with special emphasis on delivery, delivery methods, including eye contact and voice projection. To facilitate and increase audience understanding, the author explains presentation aids for speech and how to design and use them. The book moves on to showing different speech types: ceremonial, informative and persuasive. Chapters 36 through 39 offer some considerations for speeches, with examples of dos and don'ts in addition to a little bit of theory on rhetorical history, fallacies, and the science of persuasion. The final part is about additional resources and teaching tips or classroom activities.

Unlike many textbooks that would include large pictures, multiple graphic designs, and confusing charts and tables, Advanced Public Speaking is free of "significant interface issues." It does not contain any features that may distract or confuse the reader.

The text contains no grammatical errors. It is written in a conversational tone a teacher may use during a one-on-one advisement session with a student. Examples: 1. "Yes, you want to identify with an audience and help them feel something, but you also need facts in your speech." 2. "Make sure you chose to talk about facts that match the audience." (Chapter 26). 3. "I want to dive into some of the theories and models of persuasion to help you understand how people think." (Chapter 39). 4. "Think of the setting as a basket to hold your story. If you start with the basket, the audience has a place to hold all the other details you give them." (Chapter 6).

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

Overall, the text remains culturally neutral and presents information with no consideration of race, ethnicity, religion, or place of origin. However, the images it displays are not racially inclusive until it starts discussing cultural differences to help understand feedback, especially when quoting from the book The Culture Map.

Advanced Public Speaking is advanced indeed! It is by far the best Public Speaking book I have ever considered adopting for classroom teaching and for personal use on daily. Moving forward, I will be recommending this book as one of the best companions for students and teachers alike.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Briggs, Instructor, Tidewater Community College on 2/26/23

The text covers all of the typical topics of a public speaking course. The depth of information for each topic seems appropriate, I do not think students would find it overwhelming. The size of the text seems to be on par with most publisher... read more

The text covers all of the typical topics of a public speaking course. The depth of information for each topic seems appropriate, I do not think students would find it overwhelming. The size of the text seems to be on par with most publisher textbooks, maybe slightly longer. The sections of the text are divided up into briefer sections that would likely make it easier for a student to manage.

I veered between 4/5, and decided to go with 5. I do think the content is accurate and well researched, and the author uses information from a wide variety of perspectives as well. In the examples chosen, I did see hints of political bias, but nothing overt.

The text uses examples from recent events, as well as people that students would likely be familiar with. The standard course content would not become outdated, and the examples and references used could easily be updated and changed without requiring the text to be completely reworked.

The language used is very approachable, and the tone inviting. It comes across as conversational, with a practical approach that would make it easy for students to relate the concepts and ideas to their own experiences. While specific terms are used, they are clearly explained.

The format and flow of the book is consistent. As this is a skill based text, working to build the skill of public speaking, it is presented in a way that provides structure to the process of creating the speech. The basics of speech creation are covered first, and then the way to tailor a speech to specific situations and contexts. Within each part of the process, many subjects are covered. The approach throughout the book is consistent throughout the wide variety of content being shared.

Each chapter/section within each part of the writing process is brief, and it would be easy to pick and choose the content that you wanted to include, as well as shift the order in which topics are covered. It seems like it would be very easy for an instructor to customize this to their specific course/approach.

The book is well organized. It is divided into 5 parts, 1)Writing a Speech, 2) Presenting a Speech, 3) Presentation Aids for Speech 4) Speeches 5) Considerations. This is a logical flow of information, and the chapters/sections within each part are also well organized. Each part varies in terms of the amount of content, but each chapter/section is short and it would be easy for an instructor to decide what they wish to include as a part of their course.

Interface rating: 4

I downloaded the book as a digital pdf, as well as sent it to my Kindle as an epub. The other two options for format were print pdf, and mobi. Throughout the book it suggests that you watch video clips or media, however in the digital pdf, there are no links to the media. The link, if you copy and paste it, actually just brings you back to the website to access the book. In the pdf, the images/text are well balanced, and the formatting stayed consistent. The epub for Kindle was also formatted well and easy to navigate. The only issue is not being able to click the link to access the video examples/suggestions.

Grammatical Errors rating: 4

Overall, the grammar/spelling/punctuation of the book is great. I am giving it a 4, because I did see a few minor errors throughout the text. They are very minor and do not interrupt the flow of the material. For example, there is a sentence about what an audience needs that says 'They need not be bored', which should read, 'They need to not be bored'.

I did not see any content that would be considered culturally insensitive or offensive. The author took the time to provide a wide variety of examples, from many different viewpoints and perspectives.

This book seems to be a very thorough, well written text with a modern voice and relatable approach. I like that the chapters/sections within each part are brief, although it makes the number of chapters/sections seem quite high. Also, on the home page where you can review the contents of the book, it identifies the 5 parts, plus additional resources. In the table of contents on the home page, classroom activities and additional resources shows sections 40-62. In the digital pdf, as well as in the epub on my kindle, it only shows section 40 and none of the others. They just need to be fixed to be consistent with each other.

Reviewed by Ron St John, Assistant Professor of Speech, University of Hawaii Maui College on 12/12/22

This content of the text includes comprehensive information for all areas and ideas of public speaking that would help anyone succeed in a Speech course and public speaking situations in life. There is no index, however, there is a robust search... read more

This content of the text includes comprehensive information for all areas and ideas of public speaking that would help anyone succeed in a Speech course and public speaking situations in life. There is no index, however, there is a robust search engine for the entire book. There is no glossary; however, in most browsers, you can highlight a word and right-click on it to look up the meaning of the word. There is a “Classroom Activities and Additional Resources” section, after the main sections of the text, that includes 22 subsections. The subsections provide a wealth of information, activities, YouTube videos, and a variety of resources to help readers effectively prepare, practice, and present superior speeches. There are YouTube samples throughout the Resources section that will be helpful to new learners who are accustomed to viewing digital examples.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

The content is accurate throughout for most readers. There are some sections that I would revise and include different information. Most readers may perceive these sections as accurate and consistent with popular beliefs and strategies, however, I do not think that they are literal, and in close alignment with the logic in the rest of the text. There are some minor errors in the text. I believe that the author of the text presents unbiased information and activities that will help readers, from any walk of life, improve their public speaking and communication skills. Most of the activities are geared toward face-to-face classes and could be easily adapted to Zoom and online classes. There are some alternative activities for synchronous and asynchronous distance education classes. Perhaps more alternative activities that can be easily used in synchronous and asynchronous courses are in the works for the next edition.

The content is up-to-date and includes the fundamentals of public speaking, which are identified and explained with current, and historical information, demonstrating the relevancy of the text, and the longevity of the information. Many of the examples in the text are current and could be easily updated to reflect changes in the times and mediums used to communicate. There are YouTube videos throughout the text that I am sure could be easily updated, replaced, or deleted if the relevance or timeliness of the video has waned.

This is a clear, engaging text, composed in a dynamic and well-written manner. This text is a real “scroller” (page-turner). When Communication and Public Speaking terminologies are used in the text, there are clear explanations, parenthetical explanations and examples (right after the concepts that some readers may need to understand the information), and specific examples are provided throughout the text. Some of the examples are in YouTube videos with clear explanations of the key takeaways from the videos and examples of how the reader can apply the information. The text and additional resources are reader-centered.

The content of the text is internally consistent throughout. The sections/chapters are composed consistently throughout the text. After reading sections “1.” and “2.” the reader should be able to easily identify the consistent layout of the text and expect the same layout for all other sections throughout the text. Consistent terminology is used throughout the text, and the author has identified terms that may not be familiar to some students, by explaining the terminology and providing parenthetical explanations and examples throughout the text. The Framework is consistent throughout the text. There are textboxes throughout the text with examples and explanations about key ideas and concepts that help the readers understand, learn, and even apply the information to situations in their lives.

This text is organized into six major sections that are divided into small chapters/sections that are relevant and aligned to the concerns and questions students have at the beginning of a public speaking class and throughout the class. The chapters/sections include engaging headings that direct and guide the reader through the section, with subheadings for each sub-section. The organization of the text aligns with the progression of basic public speaking courses and guides students through the natural process of learning and developing public speaking skills and strategies. The text includes subunits that prepare the reader for the next section. The text is reader-centered throughout.

The topics, concepts, and fundamentals of speech are presented logically and clearly. I can tell that the organization of the text and the sections was done by someone who actually teaches speech classes to students. The author has identified the best way to scaffold the information to help readers understand new concepts and build on previous knowledge as they are learning, developing, and practicing public speaking skills. As a speech instructor for over 30 years, this is one of the first texts that I have encountered that is organized in the same order that I present the information to students in my classes. The author has included internal previews and summaries for sections and subsections to aid the reader and help them flow into the next sections, subsections, ideas, and concepts so that they may better understand and learn the content in a logical progression. The author included “Key Takeaways” Boxes at the end of each section to help the reader identify the most important key ideas from each section. This is valuable for the readers who are just skimming through the section and see something in the Key Takeaways that they may want to go back and review. There is also a detailed “References” section at the end of each section to identify the outside sources used in the section.

The text is easy to navigate with “breadcrumb” hyperlinks, for the Previous chapter/section and the Next chapter/section, at the bottom of the browser, which is accessible at all times from any page. All images and charts are crystal clear. Throughout the text, videos are embedded in the pages that can be watched in the text, in a viewer, or in YouTube. I am sure that these videos can be easily updated and changed if they lose their appeal, become outdated, or are no longer available.

Grammatical Errors rating: 3

I can see that the author has spent countless hours on this text, and I know that it is challenging to find small justification, grammatical, and spelling errors. Unfortunately, to the chagrin of my students and anyone else whose work I am reviewing, I am cursed with the skill of having been a professional proofreader for a large printing and graphics design operation before grammar check, spell check, computers, or any other conveniences of modern-day lithography and graphics design. I am an extremely slow reader because I read every single word (and often aloud). In this text, I have found some justification and grammatical errors. Some are more glaring than others. Some are minor errors that go unnoticed and don’t affect the content or the readability of the text. For me, one error did create a pause in reading the text. So much so that I wanted to contact the author to let her know. Conveniently, there was a way to contact her at the end of every section. So I contacted the author, Lynn Meade, with the Instant Feedback Google Form at the end of the chapter/section. I am hoping that she addresses this concern or contacts me. Maybe it is not even an error, and I am not seeing the correct context of the information. I would gladly offer, free of charge, my proofreading services to the author.

Incorporated and integrated into this text are inclusive examples and explanations of how “Culture Makes a Difference.” There is an excellent explanation in one section of “Individualism vs Collectivism” and “High vs Low Context” cultures which are the basics of understanding cultural diversity and how culture can make a difference in the way we communicate with each other. Thank you for including this important and concise explanation of cultures.

This is an excellent text that I definitely plan on adopting for my speech and communication courses. I know that this text will engage my students and help them to improve their public speaking and communication skills. The fact that this is a Creative Commons zero-cost textbook is even better. The “Please share your feedback, suggestions, corrections, and ideas.” sections that the author has at the end of each chapter/section demonstrates her desire to get the feedback and put it back into the text and create a “living version of the text.” is awesome. This is an excellent idea, and I will absolutely include this in my Creative Commons text. The feedback is collected in Google Forms which is a great way to collect feedback. I will even use this type of reader/student feedback in my Learning Management System sections and modules for all of my courses. Thank you to the author for sharing this excellent idea.

Reviewed by Danielle Hartman, Adjunct Instructor, University of Mary Washington on 6/10/22

This book covers a lot of the various content areas in a comprehensive manner on the topic for novices, students with experience already, and for instructors. Some areas are not or rarely covered in other texts on public speaking. Some areas... read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

This book covers a lot of the various content areas in a comprehensive manner on the topic for novices, students with experience already, and for instructors. Some areas are not or rarely covered in other texts on public speaking. Some areas would have liked to see a little more information on such as DEI and online presentations. The Table of Contents is very helpful but there is no index.

Content is accurate and in some areas where there is debate it discussed the pros and cons of each side. Sometimes the author will indicate which side they recommend and others not, eliciting clear preferences or unbiased information.

The text uses very recent information and examples throughout. The pandemic and social justice movements since 2020 have had a significant impact on how presentations are done and inclusion efforts within public speaking and the text does a good job addressing these changes.

All terminology is clearly explained and in a very relatable and inclusive manner for novice and advanced speakers as well as instructors.

The text uses consistent terminology and structure throughout. It also indicates as needed to reference past chapters or sections or if something will be covered in more depth later on.

The text has clear sections making it easy for busy students and instructors to pick up and return to if they only have a few minutes at a time to read. It is written in a very conversational tone making it easy to retain information and sections are an appropriate length for attention spans.

The text has very clear and consistent organization. The organization makes logical sense even though it differs from other public speaking texts (for example addressing the nervousness and fear of public speaking is not at the beginning but in part 2). The text's structure allows students to go from their of idea generation and writing through the process as they experience, removing the initial focus of fear and hopefully this would help many students re-frame their initial impression of public speaking.

It is very easy to see and navigate through. The only issue I encountered was some charts in the PDF version are sideways so for those who download to have access offline would have a few pages that way.

There are a few typos but very minor.

The text does a good job being inclusive and diverse in terms of content as well as how speakers should work to do the same in their presentations and have good DEI. I would like to see a little more, particularly on accessibility.

Overall a fantastic and unique text on public speaking. At first the length seems daunting which may deter some students initially, but it reads well and quickly. The activities are beneficial and well connected to the topic throughout the text. It is a welcoming and inviting text making this subject and the act of public speaking less formidable.

Reviewed by Maryan Ali, Advanced Public Speaking (BETA), Howard University on 1/1/22

The book is comprehensive and covers a wide range of topics; it is compatible with the 21st-century audience because it has memories videos of real people and real-world scenarios from ordinary people to presidential speeches. The author made a... read more

The book is comprehensive and covers a wide range of topics; it is compatible with the 21st-century audience because it has memories videos of real people and real-world scenarios from ordinary people to presidential speeches. The author made a great deal of effort to present diverse examples of all types of speeches. I enjoyed reading and listening the presenters.

This book's content is excellent; it has diverse worldwide presenters who address global, domestic, national, and personal perspectives quite powerfully. The ideas of the people were accurate though it was not error-free. For instance, in the reported presentations, there are some errors due to punctuations. For instance, this book provides the tools to build or create beyond acceptable speech. As the author Lynn Meade mentions, it is about transforming the world.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

The text was relevant to the central idea, thoughtful, and resourceful. Therefore, a future update or edition is possible. For example, in making the World Better Place, Lynn Mead (author) addresses how we have a power in us that can transform the world if we utilize it. Otherwise, it will limit or diminish our ideas. For example, the book teaches public speaking, provides activities for students, and shows real people's speeches. These video clips and links are tremendously helping students understand certain aspects of speech clearly. Another example is how 16th-year-old Greta Thunberg addressed the United Nations Climate Action Summit. She stood up for her generation by articulating the effects of climate change on them and how the UN was not taking severe or mitigating the matter.

Clarity rating: 4

This book made technical terminologies easy to understand in context and definitions. It is a unique fact that the author made this book open and available to educators, students, other individuals in the US and around the world. In this book, Lynn Meade discussed and encouraged the importance of public speaking and how to approach it. For example, he made the idea so what who cares irrelevant by explaining the importance of caring about your audience and knowing what they need from the presenter, engaging and presenting the thoughtful, clear, and concise speech. For example, the book explained the meaning of the phrases, such as "mind the gap," which lets the people taking the subway in London watch out for the cracks between the platform and the train.

The text is pretty consistent with the communicative terminology and the framework. It employed countless sources of powerful speeches from the TED Talks to United Nations, each catered to its target audience, whether it was political changes, addressing natural phenomena, civil rights, and so on. For instance, The author articulated how to avoid random words while speaking in front of the audience. He concluded four remarks that transform one's speech: Avoiding nervousness. Designing content Delivery mechanism The audience's perception of your message.

The author did a great job dividing and subdividing small sections with the same central related ideas or topics. Therefore, the writer organized in a small, interconnected, engaging reader rather than disrupting. The book demonstrated speeches, such as informing, persuading, inspiring, motivating, or presenting a new idea or product. In addition, the author explored how each individual can utilize their potential, whether it is for job interviews, graduation ceremonies, business pitches, etc.

The book content is bulky yet is organized and touches diverse aspects of public speaking in a sense that teaches interactively, practically, and theoretically encourages learners. The idea flows throughout the book along with the relevant video clips of that particular topic. For example, the author utilizes a scenario to demonstrate how to get an idea, "Moving the Cheese Out of the Way So You Can Find Your Best Ideas." In addition, Lynn Meade presented a picture of food in a refrigerator, which helps the reader visualize and vividly remember this idea better.

This book does not have any visible distortion or interface issues. The author organized the topics on the content page and, when clicked, displays the subject and its subtopics, so I have not come across significant issues navigating the throughout the book. In addition, it has 673 pages and video links, which is a rich resource to tap into to master public speaking. It is an excellent book to have for all elements of public speaking.

The text contains grammatical errors, particularly the video transcriptions. For example, on page 47, this statement needs a period or semicolon after the word them, "People appreciate a speaker who took the time to think about them it will increase both liking and credibility." There are compound and complex statements like this that I came across as I read the book.

The text is not offensive in any way; in fact, it addresses how to avoid all phrases and words that are not appropriate for speech professionally or formally. In addition, the book has a diverse group of people addressing specific issues necessary. For example, the speech given by Tshering Tobgay highlights variety, cultures, and inclusiveness. Introduces his country, his traditional dress, and what his government did to become Carbon Neutral.

The book is an excellent resource for almost everyone to reference for their speeches; therefore, I like to thank Lynn Meade, the author, for his generosity in making this book an open book that educates us about public speaking.

Reviewed by Amy Rawson, Professor, Century College on 10/26/21

I really like the content of this OER textbook. I have looked over many OER textbooks and this one is by far the best. I love how the author organized the content into smaller chunks for students and the information provided was relevant, current,... read more

I really like the content of this OER textbook. I have looked over many OER textbooks and this one is by far the best. I love how the author organized the content into smaller chunks for students and the information provided was relevant, current, and helpful. I could see myself using this in class. This textbook covers all areas and ideas of the fundamentals of public speaking appropriately--the only thing I would change would be the word "Advanced" in the title as I think this textbook could be applied more broadly to Introduction to Public Speaking courses. There was not a glossary that I could find, but a strong and detailed table of contents was provided. Each of the chapters were so rich with content, I do not think a glossary and/or index is necessarily needed.

I only found 1 typo which was an extra space in the introduction. The overall content of this textbook was extremely accurate and I loved the links to useful video examples and websites, etc. The textbook is unbiased in my opinion.

The content of the textbook is currently up-to-date, but I could see that quickly changing based on the next current event, social unrest, and/or next election. This has the potential to make the textbook seem more dated within a short period of time, but no necessarily obsolete. I do believe that this textbook is well written and organized in such a way that necessary updates should be relatively easy and straightforward to implement such as changing videos, links, and some content.

One of the main reasons I like this textbook is because it seems written with a focus of the audience of students. It is written well and any jargon/technical terminology is explained. It seems written in a laid back, casual, conversational tone which I think will strongly appeal to students and instructors.

Yes, the textbook is internally consistent in terms of framework and terminology. Although there are multiple chapters within a section of this textbook the author clearly explains this is on purpose so students can quickly access what they need.

This textbook is readily and easily divisible into smaller reading sections that could easily be assigned at different points within the course. As I stated before, there are multiple chapters within each section. However, the author clearly describes that this intent was purposeful so students can readily access what they want and/or need. The textbook is well organized and should not present much disruption to the reader. The textbook has a nice flow.

This textbook is well organized and topics are clearly presented in a logical way. This textbook covers all of the important aspects of a public speaking textbook and could be used (in my opinion) both advanced or introductory college-level speech classes.

Overall I do not think there are interface issues. There is no glossary or index, but this may be by design. The only piece that may distract or confuse students could be all of the chapters listed in one section.

There were no grammatical errors that I found.

This textbook uses inclusive examples (and so do the links and videos) which I appreciated. It is not offensive or culturally insensitive in any way.

It is a great textbook! Thank you for this opportunity to review.

Table of Contents

• I. Writing a Speech
• II. Presenting a Speech
• III. Presentation Aids for Speech
• IV. Speeches
• V. Considerations for Speech
• VI. Classroom Activities and Additional Resources

Ancillary Material

About the book.

This advanced public speaking textbook is designed to encourage you as a speaker and to help you sharpen your skills. It is written to feel like you are sitting with a trusted mentor over coffee as you receive practical advice on speaking. Grow in confidence, unleash your personal power and find your unique style as you learn to take your speaking to the next level--polished and professional.

About the Contributors

Contribute to this page.