Includes bibliographical references and index.

Content: Part one: Elements of public speaking: The nature of public speaking -- Preparing a public speech: an overview -- From apprehension to confidence -- Listening -- Speech criticism in the classroom -- Part two: Elements of subjects and audiences: Topic, purpose and thesis -- Research -- Amplifying materials -- Audiovisual aids -- The audience: sociological analysis and adaptation -- The audience: psychological analysis and adaptation -- Part three: Elements of organization: The body of the speech -- Introductions, conclusions and transitions -- Outlining the speech -- Part four: Elements of style and delivery: Characteristics of style -- Effective style in public speaking -- Characteristics of delivery -- Effective speech delivery -- Part five: Elements of public speeches: The informative speech -- The persuasive speech -- Developing arguments -- Motivating behavior -- Speaker credibility -- The special occasion speech -- Speaking in small groups.