Practically Speaking

by J. Dan Rothwell

Widely praised for its conversational tone and clear advice, Practically Speaking is the public speaking textbook your students will actually read. Filled with engaging stories and examples, sound scholarship and recent research, and useful tips and tricks, Practically Speaking shows students
how to get started, practice thinking critically, and ultimately develop their own voice.

Genres: Read For School, Textbooks

384 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2013

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the new text for my TCC Public Speaking class. It is offered by the Oxford University Press. I reviewed the book this month and am now using it as the class text. So not only have I read it, I will get to reread each chapter, note take, test make, etc. throughout this semester.

[Chandni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a different edition of this for class. It was user-friendly, and its current examples were entertaining to look up. I wouldn't read it cover to cover, but it's a good reference guide for speeches.

[Jessica Gleason · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is small and informative which is how I prefer my textbooks, but the price point is too high for what you're getting. I understand this is part of the game between textbook companies and campus bookstores, but it's not worth the cost.

[Tory · Rating 2 out of 5]

I definitely read this book for longer than I documented, but I just forgot to put it on here initially. I was forced to read this book for a college class, so my opinions will have that experience tainting them. This book could have been more entertaining, more than it claims to be, and overall just less verbose. I did learn some things but not many that I couldn't have figured out on my own. In all, it felt like too big of a waste of my time and energy. Perhaps it would have felt more worth it if it would have been shorter.

[Cece · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this for my college-level public speaking class but didn’t find it particularly insightful. There is some useful information that would perhaps help an instructor organize a curriculum, but it essentially just lays out what most students intuitively know about speaking and presenting. The author also reads with a cutting attitude at times which I did not feel was a successful strategy for this kind of informational text.

[Huzaifa]

A lot of generic information. But it’s organized well, with loads of examples.

I’ve been a public speaker for around 8 years now, and even I benefited from the technical and formal aspects taught in this book. However this books is best done in a classroom setting, as it is designed as a textbook.

[Nunya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say, this is the most interesting textbook I have read to date. Rothwell has interesting, topical, and relatable stories. But by far the best part is that I didn't have to try to understand what he was saying, I just did. First time this has happened with a textbook for me. On the other hand, it's still a textbook that I was forced to read, hence 4 stars instead of 5.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This serves its purpose wonderfully! Learned a lot and know I’ll be referencing this whenever I have an important speech to write! Highly recommend for anyone who wants to get better at giving speeches

[Cynthia B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great public speaking textbook. Fun to read and easy to understand. Very useful.

[Yana]

Public speaking textbook. Helpful 👍