Includes bibliographical references (pages N1-N18) and index.

[Pt. 1.] The basics of public speaking -- 1. Introducing public speaking -- What is public speaking? -- Why study public speaking? -- Public speaking : a great tradition -- Public speaking : a dynamic discipline -- 2. Developing your first speech -- Why prepare? -- The classical approach to speech preparation -- Preparing and delivering your first speech -- Overcoming speech anxiety -- 3. Speech ethics -- Codes of ethics: Absolute, situational, and culturally relative -- Legal speech vs. ethical speech -- Communicating truthfully -- Acknowledging the work of others -- Using sound reasoning -- Being an ethical listener -- 4. Listening skills -- The listening process -- The culprits behind poor listening -- Becoming a better listener -- Maximizing your audience's listening -- Listening when you are in the audience.

[Pt. 2.] Preparation fundamentals -- 5. Audience analysis -- Understanding situational characteristics -- Incorporating demographics -- Seeking common ground -- Identifying prior exposure -- Identifying audience disposition -- Gathering information about your audience -- Situational audience analysis -- 6. Selecting your topic -- Developing a set of potential topics -- Selecting the best topic -- Refining your topic -- Drafting your specific purpose -- Drafting your thesis statement -- 7. Researching your speech -- Why research? -- Creating a research plan -- Evaluating a source's credibility -- Conducting library research -- Using the Internet -- Interviewing sources -- Presenting evidence in your speeches -- 8. Using supporting materials for your speech -- Why use supporting materials? -- Types of supporting materials -- Guidelines for using supporting materials.

[Pt. 3.] Organizing and outlining -- 9. Organizing your speech -- Selecting your main points -- Organizing your supporting materials -- Arranging your main points -- Using organizing words and sentences -- 10. Introductions and conclusions -- Introducing your speech -- Concluding your speech -- 11. Outlining your speech -- Two stages of outlining -- Creating your working outline -- A sample working outline -- Creating your speaking outline -- A sample speaking outline.

[Pt. 4.] Language and delivery -- 12. Language and style -- The importance of language and word choice -- Differences between oral and written language -- Denotative and connotative meaning -- Presenting your message clearly -- Expressing your ideas effectively -- Choosing respectful and unbiased language -- 13. Delivering your speech -- Selecting the right mode of delivery -- Using verbal delivery skills -- Using nonverbal delivery skills -- 14. Using presentation aids -- Why use presentation aids? -- Types of presentation aids -- Using technology wisely -- Guidelines for developing presentation aids -- Using presentation aids during your speech.

[Pt. 5.] Types of public speaking --15. Mediated public speaking -- The rise of mediated communication -- Advantages of mediated presentations -- Challenges of mediated presentations -- Optimizing delivery and messages in mediated presentations -- Recording your classroom speech -- Special considerations for real-time presentations -- 16. Informative speaking -- Techniques for informing -- Types of informative speeches -- Developing your informative speech -- Clarifying and simplifying your message -- Sample informative speech : Rachel Parrish, "Spider silk : a miracle material derived from ... goats?" -- 17. Persuasive speaking -- The nature of a persuasive speech -- The nature of persuation -- Tailoring your persuasive message to the audience -- Ethical persuasion -- Organizing your persuasive speech -- 18. Methods of persuasion -- Ethos : your credibility as a speaker -- Logos : the evidence and reasoning behind your message -- Pathos : evoking your listeners' emotions -- Sample persuasive speech : Anna Martinez, "Extra credit you can live without" -- 19. Special-occasion speaking -- Types of special-occasion speeches -- General guidelines for special-occasion speeches -- Strategies for each type of special-occasion speech -- Sample special-occasion speech : Viola Daivs, "Providence College Commencement Address, 2012" -- 20. Group communication -- Effective group leadership -- Effective group membership -- Group decision making and the reflective-thinking process -- Delivering group presentations.

Appendix : additional sample speeches -- Sample informative speech : Elvia Anguiano, Precision-guided tumor killers -- Sample persuasive speech : David Kruckenberg, Child slavery and the production of chocolate -- Sample persuasive speech : Michelle Bachelet, Reclaiming public spaces for the empowerment of women and girls -- Sample special-occasion speech : Governor Jennifer Granholm, Remarks at the funeral of civil rights leader Rosa Parks -- Sample special-occasion speech : William Faulkner, Speech to accept the 1949 Nobel prize.