Advanced Public Speaking

Reviewed by Maryan Ali, Advanced Public Speaking (BETA), Howard University on 1/1/22

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

The book is comprehensive and covers a wide range of topics; it is compatible with the 21st-century audience because it has memories videos of real people and real-world scenarios from ordinary people to presidential speeches. The author made a great deal of effort to present diverse examples of all types of speeches. I enjoyed reading and listening the presenters.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

This book's content is excellent; it has diverse worldwide presenters who address global, domestic, national, and personal perspectives quite powerfully. The ideas of the people were accurate though it was not error-free. For instance, in the reported presentations, there are some errors due to punctuations. For instance, this book provides the tools to build or create beyond acceptable speech. As the author Lynn Meade mentions, it is about transforming the world.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

The text was relevant to the central idea, thoughtful, and resourceful. Therefore, a future update or edition is possible. For example, in making the World Better Place, Lynn Mead (author) addresses how we have a power in us that can transform the world if we utilize it. Otherwise, it will limit or diminish our ideas. For example, the book teaches public speaking, provides activities for students, and shows real people's speeches. These video clips and links are tremendously helping students understand certain aspects of speech clearly. Another example is how 16th-year-old Greta Thunberg addressed the United Nations Climate Action Summit. She stood up for her generation by articulating the effects of climate change on them and how the UN was not taking severe or mitigating the matter.

Clarity rating: 4

This book made technical terminologies easy to understand in context and definitions. It is a unique fact that the author made this book open and available to educators, students, other individuals in the US and around the world. In this book, Lynn Meade discussed and encouraged the importance of public speaking and how to approach it. For example, he made the idea so what who cares irrelevant by explaining the importance of caring about your audience and knowing what they need from the presenter, engaging and presenting the thoughtful, clear, and concise speech. For example, the book explained the meaning of the phrases, such as "mind the gap," which lets the people taking the subway in London watch out for the cracks between the platform and the train.

Consistency rating: 5

The text is pretty consistent with the communicative terminology and the framework. It employed countless sources of powerful speeches from the TED Talks to United Nations, each catered to its target audience, whether it was political changes, addressing natural phenomena, civil rights, and so on. For instance, The author articulated how to avoid random words while speaking in front of the audience. He concluded four remarks that transform one's speech: Avoiding nervousness. Designing content Delivery mechanism The audience's perception of your message.

Modularity rating: 5

The author did a great job dividing and subdividing small sections with the same central related ideas or topics. Therefore, the writer organized in a small, interconnected, engaging reader rather than disrupting. The book demonstrated speeches, such as informing, persuading, inspiring, motivating, or presenting a new idea or product. In addition, the author explored how each individual can utilize their potential, whether it is for job interviews, graduation ceremonies, business pitches, etc.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The book content is bulky yet is organized and touches diverse aspects of public speaking in a sense that teaches interactively, practically, and theoretically encourages learners. The idea flows throughout the book along with the relevant video clips of that particular topic. For example, the author utilizes a scenario to demonstrate how to get an idea, "Moving the Cheese Out of the Way So You Can Find Your Best Ideas." In addition, Lynn Meade presented a picture of food in a refrigerator, which helps the reader visualize and vividly remember this idea better.

Interface rating: 4

This book does not have any visible distortion or interface issues. The author organized the topics on the content page and, when clicked, displays the subject and its subtopics, so I have not come across significant issues navigating the throughout the book. In addition, it has 673 pages and video links, which is a rich resource to tap into to master public speaking. It is an excellent book to have for all elements of public speaking.

Grammatical Errors rating: 3

The text contains grammatical errors, particularly the video transcriptions. For example, on page 47, this statement needs a period or semicolon after the word them, "People appreciate a speaker who took the time to think about them it will increase both liking and credibility." There are compound and complex statements like this that I came across as I read the book.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

The text is not offensive in any way; in fact, it addresses how to avoid all phrases and words that are not appropriate for speech professionally or formally. In addition, the book has a diverse group of people addressing specific issues necessary. For example, the speech given by Tshering Tobgay highlights variety, cultures, and inclusiveness. Introduces his country, his traditional dress, and what his government did to become Carbon Neutral.

Comments

The book is an excellent resource for almost everyone to reference for their speeches; therefore, I like to thank Lynn Meade, the author, for his generosity in making this book an open book that educates us about public speaking.

Reviewed by Amy Rawson, Professor, Century College on 10/26/21

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

I really like the content of this OER textbook. I have looked over many OER textbooks and this one is by far the best. I love how the author organized the content into smaller chunks for students and the information provided was relevant, current, and helpful. I could see myself using this in class. This textbook covers all areas and ideas of the fundamentals of public speaking appropriately--the only thing I would change would be the word "Advanced" in the title as I think this textbook could be applied more broadly to Introduction to Public Speaking courses. There was not a glossary that I could find, but a strong and detailed table of contents was provided. Each of the chapters were so rich with content, I do not think a glossary and/or index is necessarily needed.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

I only found 1 typo which was an extra space in the introduction. The overall content of this textbook was extremely accurate and I loved the links to useful video examples and websites, etc. The textbook is unbiased in my opinion.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

The content of the textbook is currently up-to-date, but I could see that quickly changing based on the next current event, social unrest, and/or next election. This has the potential to make the textbook seem more dated within a short period of time, but no necessarily obsolete. I do believe that this textbook is well written and organized in such a way that necessary updates should be relatively easy and straightforward to implement such as changing videos, links, and some content.

Clarity rating: 5

One of the main reasons I like this textbook is because it seems written with a focus of the audience of students. It is written well and any jargon/technical terminology is explained. It seems written in a laid back, casual, conversational tone which I think will strongly appeal to students and instructors.

Consistency rating: 5

Yes, the textbook is internally consistent in terms of framework and terminology. Although there are multiple chapters within a section of this textbook the author clearly explains this is on purpose so students can quickly access what they need.

Modularity rating: 5

This textbook is readily and easily divisible into smaller reading sections that could easily be assigned at different points within the course. As I stated before, there are multiple chapters within each section. However, the author clearly describes that this intent was purposeful so students can readily access what they want and/or need. The textbook is well organized and should not present much disruption to the reader. The textbook has a nice flow.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

This textbook is well organized and topics are clearly presented in a logical way. This textbook covers all of the important aspects of a public speaking textbook and could be used (in my opinion) both advanced or introductory college-level speech classes.

Interface rating: 4

Overall I do not think there are interface issues. There is no glossary or index, but this may be by design. The only piece that may distract or confuse students could be all of the chapters listed in one section.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

There were no grammatical errors that I found.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

This textbook uses inclusive examples (and so do the links and videos) which I appreciated. It is not offensive or culturally insensitive in any way.

Comments

It is a great textbook! Thank you for this opportunity to review.