Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach (6th Edition) [Paperback]

Steven A. Beebe (Author), Susan J. Beebe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0205449832 | ISBN-13: 978-0205449835 | Edition: 6

The unique, audience-centered approach of this top-selling text emphasizes that success in public speaking depends on how listeners interpret the message. Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach brings theory and practice together in an understandable and applicable manner. Its distinctive and popular approach emphasizes the importance of analyzing and considering the audience at every point along the way, with marginal icons highlighting audience-related discussions. This model of public speaking serves as a foundation as the text guides students through the step-by-step process of public speaking, focuses their attention on the importance and dynamics of diverse audiences, and narrows the gap between the classroom and the real world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 494 pages
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon; 6 edition (April 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0205449832
• ISBN-13: 978-0205449835
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #468,484 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read- great to use, April 24, 2000

By 

Katherine Brown (United States of America) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach (Paperback)

This is a really good book. I used it for a college class on public speaking, and I would have been lost without it. It covers things that you always forget to include, and great hints on how to increase your confidence and persuade an audience. For someone like me who was terrified, but no longer is of public speaking, and for those who just need a refrsher course, this book is brilliant.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Sixth and Ever Better Edition, July 10, 2006

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach (6th Edition) (Paperback)

You can't say that the audience-centered concept used in this book was pioneered by them. After all, in the first paragraph the authors give credit to Aristotle for defining the elements of speechmaking as 'of speaker, subject and person addresed - it is the last one, the herer, that determines the speaker's end and object.'

The first edition of this book, about 15 years ago, set the tone for what has now become the sisth edition, with each edition improved by audience feedback and new educational concepts. The general concept of keeping the audience at the center of of the speakers mind through all of the steps in the process.

Of course, this does not mean that the speaker tells the audience only what they want to hear; to do that would not convey anything to the audience but a good feeling. Some of the example speeches, 'I Have a Dream,' Martin Luther King, Jr., speak to people holding views very opposed to his.

The highly illustrated book is carefully organized with a mixture of text, tables, drawings, comments and questions to maintain the students interest while educating him. Indeed these techniques are some that can be used by the student in his speeches.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Saved me 80 bux!!, February 17, 2010

By 

Edward J. Glassmire (Philadelphia PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach (5th Edition) (Paperback)

Im currently a college student and the latest version of this book is close to 100 dollars but this older edition has the exact same content as the latest, just a different cover. So this really saved me some much needed cash.