A "compendium" of speech principles and examples .
In the true Aristotelian mode, this speaker's handbook fulfills all that the term "handbook" implies:" It is brief; it is handy; it can also serve as a reference book; it is compact. Do not, however, be confused with being compact as omitting important materials. This work, skillfully and thoughtfully written by Sprague, Stuart, and Bodary, is a goldmine for the student aspiring to be an effective public speaker. In short, this book is a blending of theory and practice presented in a concise format.
The communicative approach presents public speaking in its various dimensions, offering ways to seek out connecions in the midst of differences.
The hallmarks of this text are the following: the extensive emphasis on audience analysis; in-depth coverage of rhetoric and reasoning; a chapter on speech ethics; and a reinforcement on word choices and language.
In addtion to the text itself, the publishers provide a wide array of resources such as a fantastic companion website, interactive video activies, audio study tools, and The Art of Strategy of Service Learing Presentaions. Many instructor resources are also available for instructors as well as students using this text. An instructor website, a PowerLecture CD-Rom, and a Teaching Assistant Guide to the Basic Course.
This text merits five stars. I highly recommend it for any public speaking student or class.
