Public Speaking in a Diverse Society

For even the most successful business executives, political leaders, and entertainers, the process of giving a speech can be a frightening and humbling experience.

Based on the author’s experience teaching thousands of individuals on how to prepare and deliver a speech, Public Speaking in a Diverse Society, explains how students can manage their fears and anxieties about speaking and be able to adapt to culturally diverse audiences.

To help students become more effective public speakers in a culturally diverse environment, Jennifer Waldeck, Patricia Kearney, and Timothy G. Plax’ Public Speaking in a Diverse Society:

• Takes the position that public speaking is a lot like normal conversation. It frames public speaking around a communication-based model of public speaking, which includes the source (speaker), message (speech), channel (face-to-face or via media), receivers (audience), feedback (audience response), and context (time, place, and occasion).
• Moves beyond a generic approach to the teaching of public speaking to one that reflects the cultural diversity of the United States. This attention to cultural diversity has been an integral part of our approach from the start, and it pervades the entire text.
• Includes updates, new content, and organization based on the feedback from many adopting instructors.
• Is student friendly! Building Your Skills boxes present practical tips and strategies; Assessing Yourself boxes help students evaluate their knowledge about public speaking, and; A Close Look boxes highlight examples and topics of special interest.
• Integrates Questions for Critical Thinking and Review to give students an opportunity to develop their critical thinking skills and to delve more deeply into some of the issues raised.