This paper discusses the potential for advocacy in collegiate extemporaneous speaking. It argues that given the inherently civic nature of the event, extemporaneous speaking ought to address higher causes that transcend competitive restraints. Unfortunately, the potential of the event is generally hindered by stylistic trends and other competitive…

Public Speech has been lacking in Germany because neither the political nor the intellectual atmosphere has been favorable to free, full, and open discussion. (Author)

The author allows his students to create an imaginary society--the island. While developing the structure of their society, the students are actually practicing speech skills and activities such as problem solving through discussion, persuasive speaking and impromptu speaking. (Author/MS)

The Thesis of the paper is that there is need to distinguish between debating as a means of training for public policy decision making and debatingas a means of training students in the cognitive processes necessary for effective decision making. The author views debating as fundamental training in interpersonal communication. (Author/MS)

Offers nine practical suggestions for instructional presentations: build a sense of partnership, ask rhetorical questions, be spontaneous, use a conversational tone, control tone of voice, involve listener through gesture, be creative, be relevant, and achieve clarity. (JOW)

Finds that students with the highest level of public speaking anxiety showed the largest improvement in perceived competence and perception of audience pleasantness. Discusses the speaker's perception of the audience as a key factor in public speaking anxiety. (SR)

Suggests that the "kinesthetic connection" is missing in today's speeches and presentations. Describes techniques for harnessing kinesthetic power and creating a sense of intimacy with the audience. (JOW)

Seeks to accomplish two tasks related to "voice." Clarifies the conceptual confusion regarding "voice" found in the literature by relating it to a tension between "speaking" and "language." Avoids this tension by presenting a case study in which a notion of "voice" is posited that is constitutive…

Although the concepts of style and delivery occupy a significant portion of any public speaking class, students often fail to make use of stylistic devices or delivery techniques while writing and presenting their speeches. This activity invites students to critically analyze a public speech and then present the critique using their own voice…

Strategic planning for public speaking by emphasizing the process is a primary pedagogical lesson instructors attempt to teach in a public speaking course. One indispensable part of the strategic planning process is audience analysis. Surveying the audience about their attitudes, knowledge, and/or interests in regard to the speech topic entails…

Objective: To demonstrate the connection between students' learning and the world beyond the classroom. Type of speech: Informative. Point value: 15% of course grade. Requirements: (a) References: 3 (1 of which must be an interview); (b) Length: 4-6 minutes; (c) Visual aid: No; (d) Outline: Yes; (e) Prerequisite reading: Chapters 3-6, 8, 9…

It's winter! While it is frosty outside, one can at least think warm thoughts by starting now to plan ahead for summer information literacy programs. This article is designed to provide some ideas for planning next summer's reading, sleuthing, and research programs. It features a variety of programs organized by academic librarians this past…

This study explores what classroom behaviors and activities in the basic speech course contribute to student connectedness. The results indicate that student encouragement, humor, honesty, interactive exercises and individual speeches, can help student bonding and motivation, and impacts their overall college experience.

Brenda and Bob have told their family's story many times to professionals as they have navigated through the sometimes precarious waters of education and medicine in search of quality services for their son, Jonathan. Sometimes, along the way, especially when experiencing miscommunication and fragmentation, they've wondered to each other: Is…

This study describes the use of a cognitive-behavioral computer-administered self-help program with minimal therapist contact for public speaking anxiety. Participants (N = 10) with social phobia, as measured by a structured clinical interview, completed the self-help program in an open clinical trial. The program was delivered via a CD-ROM during…