The Competent Public Speaker

Based on the National Communication Association's conceptual model for teaching and evaluating undergraduate public speeches (as developed by the author and others), this book offers an accessible, easy-to-teach, easy-to-learn approach to public speaking.



Based on the National Communication Association’s conceptual model for teaching and evaluating undergraduate public speeches (as developed by the author and others), Sherwyn P. Morreale offers a highly accessible, easy-to-teach, easy-to-learn approach to public speaking. The approach adopted in the text includes eight public speaking competencies – four on speech preparation and four on speech delivery – which are enhanced by emphasizing the impact of technology, ethics, culture, and diversity on public speaking. A number of unique features designed to improve teaching and learning include:
– Students used as examples in each chapter so that readers can follow them as they learn about public speaking;
– Tables and boxed text to reinforce the most important learning points;
– Checkpoint and self-assessment tools so that readers can determine their level of competence and find out whether they are ready to proceed to the next chapter;
– Competence-building activities for students to apply chapter concepts and practice public speaking strategies in the classroom or as take-home assignments;
– An accompanying website which is updated on a regular basis and offers a forum for students to contact the author.
Designed for introductory-level public speaking courses taught at two- and four-year colleges and universities, this text offers a distinctively practical alternative for students and teachers to achieve consistency across multiple sections of the public speaking course. An instructor’s manual is available on request.