Learning to speak in public is not as easy as it may seem. Some studies have suggested that many people would rather die than have to speak in front of a group. It is often placed at the top of a list of top ten global fears. For this reason, perhaps, it is comforting to have a textbook to help those of us brave enough to make the attempt learn how to do it more effectively. These kinds of texts help to alleviate fears by teaching techniques, strategies, and how to think critically about topics that might come up for debate. Because these topics are usually controversial, one of the important details of texts that deal with public speaking is the degree to which the author attempts to throw their own bias into the subjects discussed. Before selecting a text such as The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen Lucas, it is helpful to get an idea of what might be contained within.
The book is clearly intended to be a classroom textbook, divided into five main sections, each with at least three chapters discussing various aspects of the unit topic. The five units are titled: Speaking and Listening; Getting Started; Organizing and Outlining; Speech Presentation; and Varieties of Public Speaking. Each of these sections takes the reader from the basics of the idea forward into more developed theories and strategies. In addition, they help the reader move from a beginning speaker to an accomplished one by the end of the book. For example, the first section includes chapter titles "Speaking in Public," "Ethics and Public Speaking," and "Listening." As these suggest, the author first provides the reader with a number of strategies for how to overcome stagefright and anxiety before and during the process of giving a speech. The section on ethics helps the reader to realize just how important it is to act and speak in an ethical manner while the chapter on listening makes it clear that this process is far more meaningful than just allowing sound to buzz in your ear. The easy way with which these ideas are discussed makes it possible for this textbook to be used by the individual engaging in self-study as easily as a student in a classroom.
Once the important elements of overcoming anxiety, ethics, and listening have been discussed, Lucas leads his readers to the actual preparation of speeches. Chapters in this section are titled "Selecting a Topic," "Analyzing the Audience," "Gathering Materials," and "Supporting Your Ideas." From these basic parts of preparing to giving a speech to the more specific details of outlining the speech which are discussed in Unit 3, Lucas is very systematic in providing readers with a step-by-step process that can be used to get ready for any form of speaking situation. It is, perhaps, this section of the book that is most important and Lucas makes this clear in allowing two full units to be dedicated to its development. Preparing for a speech is much more than just getting an idea of what you're going to say and then hyping yourself up to do it. You have to have a reason to give it, a reason for your audience to be interested in it, and a way to support the ideas you're sharing so the audience has a reason to believe you. Only once you have all that in hand can you begin to decide how you want to organize the information, get your audience's attention, make sure they know what they're supposed to do with the information you give them and then outline your points so you can remember them.
The last two units deal with the speech itself. The fourth unit is specifically about presenting the speech. In this unit, Lucas tells us how to deal with language issues, how to deliver an interesting speech, the basics of body language, how our personal presentation can affect our effectiveness, and how and when to use visual aids. The last section discusses different types of speeches such as informative speeches, persuasive speeches, special occasions, and memorials. He provides examples of when each type of speech may be necessary and what kinds of topics or tones are appropriate in each situation. One thing most people don't think about is having to speak in small group situations, but this actually happens more than having to speak in front of large groups. Lucas provides a whole chapter discussing this rather special circumstance and the specific rhetorical devices that are most effective in these situations.
Reading this book is very pleasurable because the text is deliberately intended to be approachable. Lucas uses plain language intended for the beginning speaker rather than the intellectual academic. He also includes a number of colorful pages to break up the monotony of white paper and black text. Charts, pictures, and examples of things that can be used as visual aids or presentation devices continue to break up the text blocks. I liked how Lucas very carefully avoids trying to take sides on any political issues. He helps his readers understand the ethical issues of plagiarism and how to avoid it at the same time that he demonstrates why it's important to really research your topic so you know the various arguments involved. This is an idea that's also emphasized in his section on listening. By listening to an argument without trying to add your own agenda to the topic or to apply false meanings to the interpretation of what is being said, you can get a much better idea of what the speaker is trying to say and ask more intelligent questions later to clarify their position if you need to.
Overall, this is a great book to help learn about public speaking and the various elements involved. It is easy to read, visually interesting, highly informative, and Lucas takes it beyond the page by also offering a website that continues to build on this information. Worksheets, tutorials, study guides, tips, examples of good speeches, and more are all available online. I didn't find another text I liked better that was more complete or easy to read than this one.
Works Cited
Lucas, Stephen. The Art of Public Speaking. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003. Print.
