The unique, audience-centered approach of this top-selling book emphasizes that success in public speaking depends on how listeners interpret the message.Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approachbrings theory and practice together. Its distinctive and popular approach emphasizes the importance of analyzing and considering the audience at every point in the speech making process. This model of public speaking is the foundation of the book, and it guides the reader through the step-by-step process of public speaking, focusing their attention on the dynamics of diverse audiences, and narrowing the gap between practice and the real world. The seventh edition includes a new emphasis on helping speakers manage communication apprehension.

Each chapter concludes with "Summary," "Being Audience-Centered: A Sharper Focus," "Critical Thinking Questions," "Ethical Questions," and "Speech Workshop."

1. Speaking with Confidence. Why Study Public Speaking? Public Speaking and Conversation. The Communication Process. The Rich Heritage of Public Speaking. Public Speaking and Diversity. Improving Your Confidence as a Speaker.

2. Previewing the Audience-Centered Speechmaking Process. The Audience-Centered Speechmaking Model. Consider Your Audience. Select and Narrow Your Topic. Determine Your Purpose. Develop Your Central Idea. Generate the Main Ideas. Gather Verbal and Visual Supporting Material. Organize Your Speech. Rehearse Your Speech. Deliver Your Speech.

3. Speaking Ethically and Freely. Speaking Freely. Speaking Ethically. Listening Ethically.

4. Listening to Speeches. Barriers to Effective Listening. Becoming a Better Listener. Improving Your Note-Taking Skills. Listening and Critical Thinking. Analyzing and Evaluating Speeches.

5. Analyzing Your Audience Becoming an Audience-Centered Speaker. Analyzing Your Audience Before You Speak. Adapting to Your Audience as You Speak. Analyzing Your Audience After You Speak.

6. Developing Your Speech. Select and Narrow Your Topic. Determine Your Purpose. Develop Your Central Idea. Generate and Preview Your Main Ideas. Meanwhile, Back at the Computer . . .

7. Gathering Supporting Material. Personal Knowledge and Experience. The Internet. Library Resources. Interviews. Resources from Special-Interest Groups and Organizations. Research Strategies.

8. Integrating Supporting Material. Illustrations. Descriptions and Explanations. Definitions. Analogies. Statistics. Opinions. Selecting the Best Supporting Material.

9. Organizing Your Speech. Organizing Your Main Ideas. Subdividing Your Main Ideas. Integrating Your Supporting Material. Organizing Your Supporting Material. Developing Signposts. Supplementing Signposts with Presentation Aids.