Argues that the new social agendas for education warrant greater attention than generally received among educators. Examines the rhetoric of the George Bush administration. Suggests that this rhetoric asserts a purported ability to solve social ills through individual consumption. Asks if vision can become a goal for rhetoric. (SG)

Reports on meta-analysis of 183 experiments comparing the effect sizes (average amount of change observed) of measurement techniques for assessing the effectiveness of public speaking anxiety treatments. Shows differences between self-report, observer, and physiological measurement techniques. Finds no interaction between type of therapy and type…

Reports three studies examining the relationship between people's public speaking anxiety and their construals of the public speaking experience. Finds that anxiety is related to both beliefs and concerns that play a major role in the preparation of speeches. (SR)

Asserts that media systems and pedagogy affect each other, that electronic media increasingly dominate the society, and that pedagogy must respond. Outlines a heuristic model for talking and thinking pedagogically about the process of speech in the electronic media environment. (MG)

Describes a program of public speaking training, including development of a written proposal, conducting the workshop in four three-hour sessions, and evaluating the program. Notes that training was well received, and reduced trainees' self-reported communication apprehension. Presents ethical guidelines for scholar/consultants. (SR)

Tests whether trainers using the book "Coping with Speech Anxiety" as a resource would be able to construct workshops as effective in reducing public speaking anxiety as people trained to conduct systematic desensitization workshops. Indicates that both workshops were more effective in reducing public speaking apprehension than control conditions…

Investigates reliability and validity of speech evaluation instruments used in public speaking classes. Finds that student speeches can be evaluated reliably and validly using any of a number of different evaluation forms that address the fundamental speech constructs of content and delivery. Finds that lack of extensive rater training and…

Study examined the impact of method on speech ratings of classroom teachers by concurrently testing reliability and validity for the analytic and holistic methods, holding the variables of raters and speeches constant. Student speeches were videotaped and scored. Both methods produced similar and acceptable levels of reliability and concurrent…

Discusses presentations as a format teachers can use for dissemination of research findings. The sixth in a series on the teacher as researcher, the article covers identifying the target audience; organizing and practicing a presentation; and choosing appropriate audio-video technologies. A sidebar provides a generalized presentation outline. (KRN)

Describes the Public Speaking Portfolio, a pedagogical tool for encouraging active reflection in the public speaking classroom. Describes its content and form, discusses how it is assessed, and presents survey results measuring students' perceptions of the portfolio's effectiveness in the classroom. Examines the unique challenges of portfolio use…

Discusses research evidence concerning the persuasive effects of three variations in the articulation of an advocate's supporting argumentation. Finds that greater explicitness in identification of the sources of information and in the completeness of an argument significantly enhance persuasive effectiveness and perceived credibility; greater…

Discusses how nearly everyone who talks about morality assumes that it is closely linked to language and especially to public discourse. Suggests that teachers of rhetoric and writing courses must develop models that help students resist naive prescriptions and meet the challenges involved in voicing their views responsibly in a diverse and…

The capstone of a Mennonite school's building community curriculum is its senior public presentation, part of a required nine-week communications course. These 15- to 20-minute presentations before an audience of faculty, parents, and friends allow seniors to reflect on high school experiences. Students share their academic, spiritual, and…

Suggests ways to teach college students basic skills in reading, presentation/oral communication, and writing/publication skills in the context of content courses. Suggestions include guiding and monitoring reading, encouraging frequent student presentations, assigning a variety of writing tasks, and requiring graduate students to write term…

To deliver powerful presentations to parents, teachers should prepare handouts; indicate preferences for being contacted; find out what information parents have already received; provide a signup sheet for individual conferences; be organized, clear, concise, and cordial; deflect unrealistic suggestions; leave time for questions; anticipate…