Customer Reviews

The Art of Public Speaking

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

I am a college student and signed up for the Amazon Student Prime membership trial for 6 months. I ordered a used college book from Amazon designated as "very good" by Amazon. The book cost only 3.99 total (no shipping fees as Prime member). The book arrived at my door in just two days (as promised under Prime membership) and almost like in new condition, with no book markings of any kind and clean cover. I am very impressed by such a great deal! (This book would have cost me $95.00 at the college book store or $30.00 online. Its really not worth all this crazy money, esp. to a college student!). Thank you Amazon for coming through for me, once again!

I got the book in a Timely manner and it was just as I expected. I only paid 0.49 + 3.99 and the book was in really great condition. The girl next to me in class bough the same book for $80 from somewhere else

This book is very easy to read and is organized in a way that allows you to jump around useful topics as you prepare your speech. Gives very good examples and suggestions for writting, preparing, and practicing your speech.

The ISBN number does not correspon with the book that amazon has online. The correct ISBN is 0072938218

I bought it very cheap and it was totally worth it. It's a great book, has great information in it. It helped me a lot in presenting my speech and stuff since I am taking public speaking class. There are newer edition of this book, but they are all similar.( I took a look at the newest version in the library.)

All I can say is SUPERB customer service! Besides that, I thought this book was so different from the 10th Ed which sells for $113 online & my school bookshop, but it aint. I am so happy with this purchase cos I saved far more than I'd imagined.

I was very satisfied with this purchase. The shipping was so quick!! I didn't even expect it to be that fast. The item itself was good.

How interesting that the reviewers comment on the presumed politics of the writer before looking at the quality of the text. More interesting still, that some see the text slanted to the right and others to the left. Well done, Lucas.
I'd like to read what you have to say about using images (PowerPoint, Keynote) well. I'd also like to read some non-American speeches. These features would enhance its value to me.