The Challenge of Effective Speaking (with InfoTrac and CD-ROM) - Softcover

Verderber, Rudolph F.; Verderber, Kathleen S.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0534563856 ISBN 13: 9780534563851

Publisher: Cengage Learning, 2002

Synopsis

Wadsworth's best selling Public Speaking text, the Verderbers' CHALLENGE OF EFFECTIVE SPEAKING, features a skills-oriented, mainstream approach that has effectively led hundreds of thousands of students through the challenges they face as they develop and deliver speeches. The speech making process is presented in a six-step framework based on classical and contemporary theory. The straightforward writing style and effective use of examples enables students to understand and effectively perform key speech making activities. The six-step framework emphasizes topic selection, audience analysis and adaptation, effective research (including appropriate use of Internet resources), organization (with emphasis on outlining), language and delivery. The six action steps are introduced in generic form and then later adapted to follow principles of informative and persuasive speaking.

About this title

About the Author:

Rudolph F. Verderber, Distinguished Teaching Professor of Communication Emeritus at the University of Cincinnati and former National Speaker's Association Professor of the Year is one of the all-time best-selling communication studies authors. The strength of his basic texts lies in his ability to explain and exemplify concepts, theories, and skills to introductory level students. His Cengage texts-COMMUNICATE, THE CHALLENGE OF EFFECTIVE SPEAKING, COMM, and SPEAK-have a reputation for being student favorites due to their accessible presentation of theory and skills.

Review:

"The Challenge of Effective Speaking offers students a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the art of public speaking. Instructors will find the text a very comfortable fit for their needs in working with beginning public speakers. The Verderber text is a standard in the field that continues to improve with every new edition."

"This text has the 'voice and style' of a mentor. Consequently, beginning public speaking students should find this text both accessible and useful. For example, in the author's chapter about research, I enjoyed how he encouraged readers to get 'their hands dirty' by thumbing through volumes at the library. In the author's chapter about constructing arguments, I liked the use of everyday examples... I can hear myself giving suggestions like these to one of my students during a tutoring session in my office."

"This text is skills specific. It helps the students understand a concept and then put it to practical use. The clear explanations and the practical application exercises allow the student to work on specific areas of the speech building process. "Understanding by doing" seems to be the key to the text. It is the one aspect of the text that separates it from all others. Students will understand their reading and be able to personally participate in the concepts presented. The author and the publishers of this text have the student at heart and the instructor in mind. It makes learning and teaching a lot easier than any other text around."

About this edition

• Publisher: Cengage Learning
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0534563856
• ISBN 13: 9780534563851
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 400