The book presumes that readers have prior experience with basic public speaking skills and seeks to enhance those abilities with references to classical concepts, the inclusion of sample speeches, and questions for speech criticism. This new edition includes a greater diversity of speeches and new material on populist rhetoric and civility to outline the importance of civic discourse in an age of polarization. It also includes suggestions for speaking to remote audiences.

Providing users with the opportunity to increase their speaking abilities across a wide variety of complex and specific contexts, this student-engagement focused and flexible text serves as a core textbook for upper-level undergraduate public speaking courses.

Online resources for instructors include an instructor’s manual and test bank offering guidance on syllabus construction, lecture content, and classroom activities.