Essential Speech (Hb 2011)

Learn the basics of communication to mastering speech preparation and delivery with this engaging, dynamic text. ESSENTIAL SPEECH introduces the various types of speeches as well as the keys for effective speech preparation and confident delivery. Relevant activities and examples of effective and ineffective communication make learning easier. Strong speeches begin with thorough preparation. Users develop into confident, competent communicators as they learn to research and use language and vocabulary effectively. Useful delivery strategies as well as how to perfect listening, observing, analyzing, and critiquing abilities are also addressed. This book's inviting and open visual presentation, along with numerous examples drawn from today's world, keep the presentation meaningful and engaging. Numerous hands-on activities also keep users actively involved in learning. Ongoing review and assessment ensure understanding of the concepts before moving ahead. Technology has had a huge influence on how you learn, how you work, and how you communicate today. The online Speech Builder Express tool solves the major challenges in this course: getting organized and comfortable to make a presentation, and relieving anxiety and stress caused by lack of planning and organization. Speech Builder Express coaches users through every step of the speech outlining process. By providing the necessary tutorials, sample videos, and access to a dictionary and thesaurus, this product will help build confidence, lessen anxiety, and prepare users for real-world career speaking opportunities. Discover all of the aspects of teaching speech - from concepts and practice to technology support. This book?s approach is based on extensive field research and input from Speech Educators across the nation.

Rudolph F. Verderber is a Distinguished Teaching Professor of Communication Emeritus at the University of Cincinnati and former National Speaker's Association Professor of the Year -- as well as one of the all-time bestselling 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.

Kathleen S. Verderber is Associate Professor of Management Emeritus at Northern Kentucky University. She holds an MA in Speech Communication as well as an MBA and a PhD in organizational behavior from the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Verderber has consulted with various civic, professional, and business organizations. She has published numerous articles in several journals and has presented papers at communication and management conferences. She is a coauthor of COMMUNICATE! THE CHALLENGE OF EFFECTIVE SPEAKING IN A DIGITAL AGE, COMM, and SPEAK all with Cengage Learning, and author of INTER-ACT: INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION, CONCEPTS, SKILLS, AND CONTEXTS with Oxford University Press.

Deanna D. Sellnow, Ph.D., is a Professor of Strategic Communication and Assistant Director in the Nicholson School of Communication at the University of Central Florida, where she also is chair of the Department of Communication and conducts faculty development workshops on instructional communication pedagogy. Her research focuses on the rhetoric of popular culture, particularly music as communication, and instructional communication as it occurs in conventional and nonconventional classrooms, as well as in risk and crisis contexts. Published in regional, national and international journals, Dr. Sellnow is editor of the JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION and co-author of COMMUNICATE!, COMM, SPEAK and THE CHALLENGE OF EFFECTIVE SPEAKING, all with Cengage.