The Art of Public Speaking [Paperback]

Stephen E Lucas (Author), Stephen Lucas (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 007256296X | ISBN-13: 978-0072562965 | Publication Date: June 13, 2003 | Edition: 8

Lucas' The Art of Public Speaking is the leading public speaking textbook in the field. Whether a novice or an experienced speaker when beginning the course, every student will learn how to be a better public speaker through Lucas' clear explanations. Creative activities, vivid examples, annotated speech samples, and foundation of classic and contemporary rhetoric provide students a strong understanding of public speaking.

When instructors teach from this textbook, they benefit from Lucas' Integrated Teaching Package. The Annotated Instructor's Edition and Instructor's Manual, both written by Steve Lucas, provide teaching tips and give outlines on how to use the various supplements. As a result, instructors are able to see various teaching examples, how to integrate technology, and analyses and discussion questions for video clips in class. The Annotated Instructor's Edition, Instructor's Manual, Test Bank, CDs, videos,and other supplements provide instructors the tools needed to create a dynamic classroom. This edition has a supplement to meet the needs of online classes,Teaching Public Speaking Online with The Art of Public Speaking.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stephen E. Lucas is Professor of Communication Arts at the University of Wisconsin where he has coordinated the introductory public speaking course for almost 25 years. He has received numerous teaching awards, including the Chancellor s Award for Excellence in Teaching and is the author of several books, including "Portents of Rebellion" which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Professor Lucas lives in Madison, Wisconsin with his wife and two sons.s.

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages; 8 edition (June 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 007256296X
• ISBN-13: 978-0072562965
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,492 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Say what?, September 3, 2005

By 

FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Art of Public Speaking (Paperback)

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.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent text, January 6, 2007

By 

Lee Armstrong (Winterville, NC United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Art of Public Speaking (Paperback)

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!

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT!, October 26, 2011

By 

A. Vandestaan "Ali Vandst" (Highland Park, IL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Art of Public Speaking (Paperback)

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