For courses in Public Speaking

An audience-centered approach to public speaking

Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach outlines a comprehensive process for new public speakers to ensure they continually connect to their listeners. Authors Steven and Susan Beebe emphasize the importance of analyzing and considering the audience at every point in the speech-making process. By focusing student attention on the dynamics of diverse audiences, ethics, and communication apprehension, the text narrows the gap between the classroom and the real world. The Tenth Edition includes new speech examples that model effective public speaking, as well as updated content that helps students better understand contemporary communication opportunities and challenges.

Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach, Tenth Edition is also available via Revel™, an interactive learning environment that enables students to read, practice, and study in one continuous experience.

Steven A. Beebe is Regents’ and University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Texas State University. He served as Chair of his department at Texas State for twenty-eight years and concurrently as Associate Dean for twenty-five years. Steve is the author or co-author of twelve widely used communication books, most of which have been through multiple editions (including Russian and Chinese editions), as well as numerous articles, book chapters, and conference presentations. He has been a Visiting Scholar at both Oxford University and Cambridge University in England. He made international headlines when conducting research at Oxford; he discovered a manuscript that was the partial opening chapter of a book that was to be co-authored with J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis called Language and Human Nature. Steve has traveled widely in Europe and Asia, and has played a leadership role in establishing new communication curricula in Russian universities. He has received his university’s highest awards for research and twice for service, has been recognized as Honors Professor of the year, and was named Outstanding Communication Professor by the National Speaker’s Association. In 2013 he served as President of the National Communication Association, the largest professional communication association in the world. His passions include his family and a lifelong love of music; he is a pianist and organist and a struggling cellist.

Susan J. Beebe’s professional interests and expertise encompass both oral and written communication. Sue has co-authored three books and has published a number of articles and teaching materials in both English and communication studies. She has received the Texas State University Presidential Awards for Excellence in Teaching and in Service and the College of Liberal Arts Awards for Excellence in Scholarly/Creative Activities, in Teaching, and in Service. After serving as Director of Lower-Division Studies in English for eleven years, Sue retired in 2014 from the Department of English at Texas State. An active volunteer in the community of San Marcos, Texas, Sue was the founding coordinator of the San Marcos Volunteers in Public Schools Program and has served on the San Marcos School Board and the Education Foundation Board. In 1993 she was named the statewide Friend of Education by the Texas Classroom Teachers’ Association; in 2000 the San Marcos school district presented her with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Sue enjoys reading, traveling, and caring for the Beebe family cats, Luke and Bouncer. Sue and Steve have two sons: Mark, a graduate of Rice University; and Matt, a graduate of Southwestern University and a middle school teacher in nearby Austin.

1. Speaking with Confidence

2. Presenting Your First Speech

3. Speaking Freely and Ethically

4. Listening to Speeches

5. Analyzing Your Audience

6. Developing Your Speech

7. Gathering and Using Supporting Material

8. Organizing and Outlining Your Speech

9. Introducing and Concluding Your Speech

10. Using Words Well: Speaker Language and Style

11. Delivering Your Speech

12. Using Presentation Aids

13. Speaking to Inform

14. Understanding Principles of Persuasive Speaking

15. Using Persuasive Strategies

16. Speaking for Special Occasions and Purposes

Appendix A: Speaking in Small Groups

Appendix B: Speeches for Analysis and Discussion