Messages that Matter: Public Speaking in the Information Age - Third Edition

Reviewed by Charalyn Bowling, Adjunct Faculty, Marian University on 9/21/25

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

Messages That Matter: Public Speaking in the Information Age, Third Edition offers a rather comprehensive overview of public speaking that can be helpful for an introductory communications or speech course. It begins with foundational theory (what communication is and why it matters in the information age), then moves through increasingly practical stages such as dealing with speaker anxiety, topic selection, knowing your audience, gathering and organizing materials, using language well, delivering speeches (including visual aids), listening critically, and persuading or motivating others. It also includes useful appendices (i.e. speech grading rubrics, sample demographic analyses) which enhance its usability in classroom or self‑study settings. There is an exhaustive index that defines key terms referenced throughout the text. By covering everything from theory to execution in clear, accessible chapters, the textbook is thorough in scope and depth; however, the focus leans toward persuasive speech, so supplemental resources may be needed if covering different types of speeches.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

Overall, the text appears to be accurate in its summation of public speaking theory, audience analysis, persuasion strategies, and communication best practices. No significant factual errors or major misrepresentations were found. The chapters are well‑documented, the examples are relevant, and the content is aligned with standard rhetoric/communication theory. Some language choices may be seen as less formal, but this aligns with the theme of messages in the information which provides context for the language use. Finally, there was no indication of bias in the way the material is presented as the authors strive for inclusivity of audience diversity. The text encourages critical evaluation of sources, listening, and adapting to different perspectives.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

Since the text was published in 2023, the book is quite up‑to‑date, especially in terms of topics like audience analysis, persuasion theories, visual aids, and adapting to the state of information overload in the current digital age. Its open license and digital format make future updates like adding new examples, integrating emerging technologies or updating references relatively easy to complete. The modular chapter structure supports fractional revisions if necessary. With the rapidly changing media/technology trends, periodic updates or supplemental materials may be beneficial in the future. In all, the text balances current content with a structure that will allow it to stay relevant over time.

Clarity rating: 5

Clarity is a strength of the text making it accessible for beginners, yet robust enough for more experienced students. It avoids overly technical or academic jargon unless necessary. When it does introduce specialized terms, it defines them clearly with examples with further definitions in the index. The paragraphs are well‑structured with concrete illustrations of abstract or vague language making the concepts more accessible. Chapter summaries are concise and restate key ideas which helps reinforce comprehension. Although some sample speeches or course material examples assume some familiarity with speech structure terms (like "central idea," “preview,” “clincher”), these are explained earlier or elsewhere in the text allowing most readers to easily follow.

Consistency rating: 5

The text demonstrates strong internal consistency in terminology, framing, and structure. Concepts like the “central idea,” “main points,” “introduction‑body‑conclusion,” and “ethos, pathos, logos” recur across chapters in logical and coherent ways. The framework of audience‑centered communication is maintained throughout the text from audience analysis, through gathering information, to organizational strategy and delivery. This helps ensure that earlier definitions and terms are uniformly referenced in later chapters. Chapter summaries restate the same key concepts and complement prior references. Lastly, there are cohesive cross-references throughout the text that reinforce ideas like in “Using Language to Frame the Message” echoed in delivery or persuasion chapters.

Modularity rating: 4

Modularity is another benefit of this textbook. With clearly delineated chapters each focused on a single major topic, it is easy to assign readings in distinct sections as needed. Within chapters, content is broken up by subheadings, summary sections, and specific conceptual units which helps readers absorb topics one at a time. Because each chapter contains its specific topics with definitions, examples, and process steps (i.e. how to gather information, how to organize ideas), the book is relatively easy to rearrange or realign with different syllabi or pacing. The open‑text, digital format is also conducive to inserting new modules or reordering sections. However, the current structure is strongly presented for incorporating in a public speaking course. Since topics build on one another, full comprehension may assume readers have already done earlier readings. Therefore, reordering topics might require instructor guidance for context.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The book’s topics are arranged in a very logical and sound sequence. It begins with foundational chapters like “What Is Communication?” and “The Dread of the Podium” which help frame the rest of the material and address common barriers. It then moves into topic selection, audience analysis, gathering information, and organizing ideas with each chapter building naturally on the prior one. After the introductory topics, further chapters address framing the message, delivery techniques (including practice and using visual aids), listening/critical evaluation, and persuasion/motivation. This supports students in learning to craft messages before focusing on persuading or motivating. The structure ensures early chapters give the tools needed to understand and execute later ones creating a seamless transition across concepts.

Interface rating: 5

This text's interface is high quality with minimal distractions allowing readers to focus on content. The layout is clean and the navigation header allows for easy movement through chapters. The table of contents is always accessible from the drop‑down/sidebar menu, so readers can jump directly to specific chapters. Images and graphics appear properly aligned and scaled relative to the text. PDFs, EPUB, and other formats are available, which helps for different reading devices or offline access. Scrolling through long chapters may require going through a lot of content before getting to bottom‑navigation buttons, but that seems to be standard for most online textbooks. No significant interface problems were noted.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

The grammar of the text is polished, professional, and supports the clarity and effectiveness. No major grammatical errors were found; sentence structure, verb‑tense consistency, agreement, pronoun usage and more, all seem correct. The textbook reads fluently with proper punctuation and capitalization. Some stylistic choices, such as the occasional complex sentence, appear, but grammar and readability are maintained. The textbook is very well‑written from a grammatical standpoint.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

Upon review, the text shows a strong commitment to inclusivity and cultural sensitivity. The “About the Book” section emphasizes communicating with diverse audiences and stresses audience‑centered approaches. Chapters such as “Analyzing the Audience” and “Language Framing” encourage speakers to consider context, connotations of language, euphemisms, jargon, and how word choice can affect different groups. In whole, the text is culturally sensitive, with examples and guidance that are respectful across races, ethnicities, and backgrounds, making it suitable for diverse classrooms.

Messages That Matter: Public Speaking in the Information Age, Third Edition is a comprehensive and well-structured textbook that serves as a great resource for students and instructors alike. Its modular design allows for flexible integration into various course structures, while the clear organization ensures a logical progression of topics. Finally, this edition provides a thorough and engaging approach to public speaking, making it a strong text for a public speaking or communications course.