Metcalfe's BUILDING A SPEECH, Sixth Edition, continues the tradition of providing proven texts at lower prices.
With 20 chapters organized into five units, BUILDING A SPEECH guides students through a step-by-step process of
acquiring public speaking skills by observation, peer criticism, personal experience and instructor guidance. Readings
and exercises provide assistance in developing informative and persuasive speeches as well as research and speechwriting
skills. This book establishes a caring environment for the learning process through a conversational style that
aims to both interest and motivate students, while conveying encouragement through topics such as apprehension
and listening that will help students to realize that they are not alone in their struggles. It is grounded in
the philosophy that students can master the steps of speech construction if provided with a caring environment,
clear blueprints, and creative examples.
Comprehensive coverage of public speaking skills, theories and opportunities for application in a reader-friendly
format at a student-friendly price.
Reviewer-praised conversational writing style connects with the students, keeps them engaged and helps them
see that public speaking is part of their everyday lives.
The text continues to offer chapters and guidelines for major informative and persuasive speaking assignments,
present information about recent technologies in research and audiovisual aids, and provide interesting sample
speeches.
Clear discussions of issues related to gender and cultural diversity, group-related exercises, detailed cases
and illustrations for classroom analysis, sample speeches, and updated examples throughout.
The text continues to include the popular chapter on apprehension, the important chapter on ethics, and the
helpful presentation of alternative introductions and conclusions.
Guidelines for using PowerPoint are introduced in Chapter 1, "Using Audiovisual Aids," to help students
successfully use the Microsoft PowerPoint program in their speeches.
A wealth of speeches can be accessed on the Website. The speeches include: Tribute to John J. Kennedy Jr.,
by E. M. Kennedy; "Speech to the 1992 Democratic National Convention," by Elizabeth Glaser; "America
is Stronger When All of Us Take Care of All of Us," by Christopher Reeve; "Let's Stop Auto Repair Rip-Offs!"
by Karen Anderson; "Commencement Address," by Condoleezza Rice; "Women's Rights Are Human Rights,"
by Hillary Rodham Clinton; "The Disconnect Between Hollywood and America," by Pat Sajak; and "Address
to a Joint Session of Congress and the American People," by George W. Bush.
Table of Contents
Preface.
Unit One: SURVEYING THE LANDSCAPE.
1. Introducing the Study of Public Speaking.
2. Building Your First Speech.
3. Analyzing Your Audience.
4. Improving Your Listening Skills.
5. Understanding and Reducing Your Apprehension.
6. Considering the Ethics of Public Speaking.
Unit Two: PREPARING THE FOUNDATION.
7. Selecting the Topic and Purpose.
8. Conducting Research.
9. Choosing Supporting Materials.
Unit Three: CREATING THE STRUCTURE.
10. Organizing the Body of the Speech.
11. Selecting the Introduction and Conclusion.
Unit Four: REFINING THE APPEARANCE.
12. Using Audiovisual Aids.
13. Considering Language.
14. Developing the Delivery.
Unit Five: CONSIDERING DIFFERENT TYPES OF STRUCTURES.
15. Speaking to Inform.
16. Speaking to Persuade.
17. Speaking to Persuade: Motivating Audiences.
18. Speaking for Special Occasions.
19. Speaking in Groups.