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Public Speaking: The Evolving Art
The first book to combine the proven traditions of public speaking instruction with an extensive integrated technology package, PUBLIC SPEAKING: THE EVOLVING ART provides you with the tools you need to navigate the challenges of creating and delivering speeches in today's media-driven society. Throughout the text, you'll follow along as four peer mentors, real people who have successfully completed the public speaking course, bring concepts and strategies to life with seamlessly-integrated video segments that highlight strategies for successful public speaking in today's digital society.
496 pages, Paperback
First published May 28, 2008
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24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 27, 2021
This book is absolute drivel.
The advice and research feels thirty years old (whether or not it actually is). It is bereft of inclusivity. The author seems to liken herself to Socrates or some great celebrity. Are you ghost-writing for Obama's inauguration speech? Yeah, my gut tells me that's unlikely.
It is written for the neurotypical individual trying to fit the societal expectations of corporate workplace America; it metamorphizes a creative and theatrical opportunity to convey one's unique and personal message into..."pick-me, boss/teacher/xyz". This book will help you land that miserable desk job that will line the pockets of your upper management whilst they sip an umbrella-flourished boat drink in Turks and Caicos, whilst you're over here giving a sorry-ass power-point presentation, sweating bullets, and working ten-hour shifts so you don't get fired.
It de-emphasizes the ability of humans to relate to others as who they are unapologetically; some of the most enigmatic actors and actresses are God-awful at writing and delivering speeches. That's why others are hired to write it for them, and we all find it endearing as all get-out when they mess up. Their flaws are what make their delivery real, relatable, and wonderful. This book treats public-speaking as if it is not a subjective artform, but a rigid and systematic framework.
On a mental health level, this book is essentially poison. It suggests deep-breathing, reframing, and progressive muscle relaxation will somehow remedy underlying mental illness (which it labels as "personality differences"). Mental illness has less to do with personality, and more to do with how people function. Many terrified, anxious people have so much to say, have huge personalities, so much to offer, and no amount of psychobabble will remedy their faulty neurotransmitters. Consult a medical professional, such as a psychiatrist, before acting like an authority on the subject. I knew better, but some might not and slide deeper into the depths with such statements. I remember phrases such as, "those who get anxious giving speeches usually do not thrive from social interactions"...have you ever been backstage at a performance of literally any kind?
I could go on, but I'll save you all the eye-rolls and just suggest that if you're a professor looking for a book in 2021 to encourage your students of all backgrounds and walks of life to feel more confident speaking in public; this is NOT it.
The advice and research feels thirty years old (whether or not it actually is). It is bereft of inclusivity. The author seems to liken herself to Socrates or some great celebrity. Are you ghost-writing for Obama's inauguration speech? Yeah, my gut tells me that's unlikely.
It is written for the neurotypical individual trying to fit the societal expectations of corporate workplace America; it metamorphizes a creative and theatrical opportunity to convey one's unique and personal message into..."pick-me, boss/teacher/xyz". This book will help you land that miserable desk job that will line the pockets of your upper management whilst they sip an umbrella-flourished boat drink in Turks and Caicos, whilst you're over here giving a sorry-ass power-point presentation, sweating bullets, and working ten-hour shifts so you don't get fired.
It de-emphasizes the ability of humans to relate to others as who they are unapologetically; some of the most enigmatic actors and actresses are God-awful at writing and delivering speeches. That's why others are hired to write it for them, and we all find it endearing as all get-out when they mess up. Their flaws are what make their delivery real, relatable, and wonderful. This book treats public-speaking as if it is not a subjective artform, but a rigid and systematic framework.
On a mental health level, this book is essentially poison. It suggests deep-breathing, reframing, and progressive muscle relaxation will somehow remedy underlying mental illness (which it labels as "personality differences"). Mental illness has less to do with personality, and more to do with how people function. Many terrified, anxious people have so much to say, have huge personalities, so much to offer, and no amount of psychobabble will remedy their faulty neurotransmitters. Consult a medical professional, such as a psychiatrist, before acting like an authority on the subject. I knew better, but some might not and slide deeper into the depths with such statements. I remember phrases such as, "those who get anxious giving speeches usually do not thrive from social interactions"...have you ever been backstage at a performance of literally any kind?
I could go on, but I'll save you all the eye-rolls and just suggest that if you're a professor looking for a book in 2021 to encourage your students of all backgrounds and walks of life to feel more confident speaking in public; this is NOT it.
January 9, 2019
I liked this textbook. Used it about a year ago to complete a public speaking class.
April 21, 2015
A dull read. Made by someone who does not seem to have much to teach. But sure that person can speak a lot of words. What you get is a marketing trip. Remember those "send me $5 in the mail and I can tell you all about making one million dollars because of people mailing you $5"? It's about the same thing. In more words. First you get an extended presentation about this new method. Less about how it is going to work and more about how wonderful it is. Than you get to find out what the people few thousand years ago said about public speaking. Filled with useful information like how many people in China do not have Internet access. And so on. In the end, this is about "the evolving art" as stated in the title because the authors have almost nothing to write about the actual art. Tips you can get online for free. And practice, that is not something you get from the marketed product.
August 8, 2012
Lots of information arranged in an easy to access format, with online helps. It also has the advantage of bringing interests by including recent speeches by public names.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews