Introduction to Speech Communication

• Accessibility Statement
• Acknowledgements
• Chapter 1: Why Public Speaking Matters Today
• Public Speaking in the Twenty-First Century
• Why is Public Speaking Important?
• The Process of Public Speaking
• Enrichment
• Chapter 2: Building Confidence
• What is Communication Apprehension?
• Classifying Communication Apprehension
• Learning Confidence
• Enrichment
• Chapter 3: Delivery
• The Importance of Delivery
• Methods of Speech Delivery
• Preparing for Your Delivery
• Practicing your Delivery
• What to do When Delivering Your Speech
• Public Speaking Online
• Enrichment
• Chapter 4: Ethics
• The Ethics Pyramid
• Ethics in Public Speaking
• Free Speech
• Enrichment
• Chapter 5: Audience Analysis
• What is Audience Analysis?
• Why Conduct an Audience Analysis?
• Three Types of Audience Analysis
• Conducting Audience Analysis
• Using Your Audience Analysis
• Enrichment
• Chapter 6: Culture and Communication
• Foundations of Culture and Identity
• Exploring Specific Cultural Identities
• Intercultural Communication
• Intercultural Communication Competence
• Enrichment
• Chapter 7: Organizing and Outlining
• Why is Organizing and Outlining Important?
• The Topic, General Purpose, Specific Purpose, and Thesis
• Organizational Patterns of Arrangement
• Outlining Your Speech
• Enrichment
• Chapter 8: Researching Your Speech
• Library Resources
• What is Research?
• Developing a Research Strategy
• Citing Sources
• Enrichment
• Chapter 9: Supporting Ideas and Building Arguments
• Crafting Supporting Ideas
• Using Research as Support
• Exploring Types of Support
• Using Support and Creating Arguments
• Enrichment
• Chapter 10: Introductions and Conclusions
• Introductions
• Conclusions
• Enrichment
• Chapter 11: The Importance of Listening
• Importance of Listening
• Listening vs. Hearing
• Listening Styles
• Why Listening is Difficult
• Stages of Listening
• Listening Critically
• Enrichment
• Chapter 12: Language
• What Language Is and Does
• Standards for Language in Public
• Using Effective Language in Public Speaking
• Enrichment
• Chapter 13: Presentation Aids
• What Are Presentation Aids
• Functions of Presentation Aids
• Types of Presentation Aids
• Using Presentation Slides
• Low-Tech Presentation Aids
• Enrichment
• Chapter 14: Informative Speaking
• What is an Informative Speech
• Types of Informative Speeches
• Guidelines for Selecting an Informative Speech Topic
• Guidelines for Preparing an Informative Speech
• Giving Informative Speeches in Groups
• Sample Informative Speech Outline
• Enrichment
• Chapter 15: Understanding Small Group Communication
• Communicating in Small Groups
• Understanding Small Groups
• Small Group Development
• Small Group Dynamics
• Enrichment
• Chapter 16: Small Groups & Decision Making
• Leadership, Roles, and Problem Solving in Groups
• Leadership and Small Group Communication
• Group Member Roles
• Problem Solving and Decision Making in Groups
• Enrichment
• Chapter 17: Persuasive Speaking
• Why Persuade?
• A Definition of Persuasion
• Why is Persuasion Hard?
• Traditional Views of Persuasion
• Theories of Persuasive Communication
• Constructing a Persuasive Speech
• Sample Persuasive Speech Outline
• Enrichment
• Chapter 18: Special Occasion Speaking
• Understanding Special Occasion Speaking
• Types of Special Occasion Speeches
• Special Occasion Language
• Special Occasion Delivery
• Sample Special Occasion Speech Script
• Enrichment
• Glossary
• Links by Chapter

Introduction to Speech Communication is used to support teaching, learning and research for SPCH 2713 at Oklahoma State University (OSU). In addition to inclusion of original work authored by the editors to meet the needs of their course at OSU, the editors adapted portions of Exploring Public Speaking: 4th Edition,  Stand Up, Speak Out, and Fundamentals of Public Speaking. Please see the Acknowledgements chapter for full citations. We at Oklahoma State University Libraries acknowledge our gratitude for the expertise and generosity of the scholars at Affordable Learning Georgia, College of the Canyons, the Open Education Network and elsewhere for creating and sharing customizable versions of their work. This book also includes an audio version funded by Women for OSU, as well as updated images enabled by a grant from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.