This concise, practical textbook demonstrates the many ways in which culture influences the public speaking process in contemporary settings. International business, workforce diversity, cross-cultural healthcare, multicultural education, changing domestic demographics, and the growing global interdependencies of all nations have created an environment where public speakers must be aware of the role that culture plays in all communication contexts. Public Speaking in a Multicultural Society: The Essentials moves students from basic concepts to more detailed subjects, but avoids encyclopedic, in-depth treatment of many nonessential theoretical considerations. Every chapter offers a wide selection of domestic and international examples of cultural diversity in order to illustrate concepts. The examples are designed to increase student awareness of such current multicultural and international issues as AIDS, immigration, Iraq, Afghanistan, and family values, without advocating any specific positions. FEATURES: * Contains material on how to adapt the various aspects of public speaking to a multicultural setting and addressing multicultural audiences * Offers comprehensive applied and theoretical coverage on how different cultures view and react to communication * Fuses theoretical and pedagogical practices with "real life" public speaking experiences * Provides practical suggestions for overcoming speech anxiety, and describes methods for improving critical listening skills * Includes a discussion of the ethical dimensions of public speaking * Discusses how to critically evaluate reference sources, with an emphasis on the Internet * Explores effective employment of visual aids, including electronic visual media and cutting-edge technologies that support and enhance public speaking * Integrates activities and exercises at the end of each chapter * Enhances student understanding with chapter summaries and discussion questions * Supplemented by a comprehensive Instructor's Manual/Testing Program that features learning goals, outlined chapter summaries, a test bank including essay questions, and a sample syllabus

1. Communication and Culture The Importance of Communication The Communication Process The Components of Communication Culture Communication and Culture Managing Communication Apprehension

2. Preparing a Message Topic Selection Narrowing a Topic Formulating a General Purpose Formulating a Specific Purpose Selecting a Title Determining the Best Method of Delivery Using Notes Practicing the Speech

3. Adapting the Message The Importance of Audience Analysis Audience Assessment Acquiring Information About Your Audience Appraising the Speaking Occasion

4. Supporting the Message The Importance of Evidence Forms of Verbal Support How to Test Evidence How to Use Evidence Culture and Evidence Research: Finding and Using Supporting Evidence Locating Resources Using the Library Using the Internet Citing Research Material Ethics in Research

5. Organizing the Message The Importance of Organization Core Statement Preparing Main Points and Subpoints Organizational Patterns Organizational Patterns and Culture Outlining the Message

6. Displaying the Message Value of Visual Aids Culture and Visual Aids Considerations for Selecting Visual Aids Non-electronic Visual Aids Electronic Visual Aids Preparing Visual Aids Using Visual Aids

7. Presenting the Message The Importance of Delivery Visual Perceptions of the Speaker Culture's Influence on Visual Aspects Aural Dimensions of Presentation Dialects Aural Dimensions and Culture Improving Delivery Addressing the Multicultural Audience

8. Connecting Ideas in the Message Preparing the Introduction Preparing the Audience for the Speech Introductions and Culture Preparing the Conclusion Summarizing Guidelines in Using the Conclusions

9. Sharing the Message Types of Informative Speeches Preparing a Speech to Inform Selecting Supporting Material Organizing an Informative Speech

10. Influencing Others With the Message What Is Persuasion? Types of Persuasive Presentations The Goals of Persuasive Speaking Formulating a Specific Purpose Analyzing the Audience Preparing Supporting Materials Organizing a Persuasive Speech Structuring the Persuasive Speech Persuasion and Culture Persuasion and Ethics

11. The Medium of the Message Understanding How Language Works Words and Their Meanings Are Learned Language and Intercultural Communication Characteristics of Effective Style Ethics and Language Improving Language Habits Ethical Responsibilities of Communication