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Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach, 12th edition

Published by Pearson (April 26, 2024) © 2025

  • Steven A. Beebe Texas State University - San Marcos
  • Susan J. Beebe Texas State University - San Marcos

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In this eTextbook — More ways to learn

  • More flexible. Start learning right away, on any device.
  • More supportive. Get AI explanations and practice questions (select titles).
  • More interactive. Bring learning to life with audio, videos, and diagrams.
  • More memorable. Make concepts stick with highlights, search, notes, and flashcards.
  • More understandable. Translate text into 100+ languages with one tap.

In this eTextbook — More ways to learn

  • More flexible. Start learning right away, on any device.
  • More supportive. Get AI explanations and practice questions (select titles).
  • More interactive. Bring learning to life with audio, videos, and diagrams.
  • More memorable. Make concepts stick with highlights, search, notes, and flashcards.
  • More understandable. Translate text into 100+ languages with one tap.

In this eTextbook — More ways to learn

  • More flexible. Start learning right away, on any device.
  • More supportive. Get AI explanations and practice questions (select titles).
  • More interactive. Bring learning to life with audio, videos, and diagrams.
  • More memorable. Make concepts stick with highlights, search, notes, and flashcards.
  • More understandable. Translate text into 100+ languages with one tap.

Title overview

Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach is the comprehensive guide to the speech-making process with an emphasis on keeping listeners at the heart of the approach. Focusing on diverse audiences, ethics, and communication apprehension, authors Steven and Susan Beebe prepare you to deliver speeches while keeping your listeners foremost in mind.

The 12th Edition incorporates new examples, illustrations, and the latest research, plus updated coverage of sex and gender, ethnicity and race, and culture. In addition, new Technically Speaking feature boxes explore contemporary digital trends and potential technology roadblocks in public speaking. Topics include Zoom fatigue, deepfakes and preparing a podcast.

Table of contents

  1. Speaking with Confidence
  2. Presenting Your First Speech
  3. Speaking Freely and Ethically
  4. Listening to Speeches
  5. Analyzing Your Audience
  6. Developing Your Speech
  7. Gathering and Using Supporting Material
  8. Organizing and Outlining Your Speech
  9. Introducing and Concluding Your Speech
  10. Using Words Well: Speaker Language and Style
  11. Delivering Your Speech
  12. Using Presentation Aids
  13. Speaking to Inform
  14. Understanding Principles of Persuasive Speaking
  15. Using Persuasive Strategies
  16. Speaking for Special Occasions and Purposes

APPENDICES

  1. Speaking in Small Groups
  2. Mediated Public Speaking
  3. Speeches for Analysis and Discussion

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