This concise, practical text focuses on the art and craft of persuasive oral
argument. It explores why people are ill-at-ease with public speaking and
addresses why the problem exists, why it matters, and what to do about it. The
authors, teachers of oral advocacy who have broad trial experience as well,
maintain that everyone can master basic oral advocacy, and they skillfully and
in an engaging style guide the reader through the steps necessary to do so.
Tongue-Tied America: Reviving the Art of Verbal Persuasion will make an
excellent supplement to any Advocacy course, but anyone who ever speaks in
front of other people—formally or informally—will find it an enlightening and
valuable resource.
This highly readable text draws from the teachings of masters of rhetoric
and uses techniques from several disciplines. It includes:
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Explanations of the essential principles of speech writing derived from
classical rhetoric and psychology. The authors look at the methods great
speakers use to persuade their audiences and discuss tactics for addressing
and persuading different types of audiences.
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Keys to successful public speaking, including psychological insights
and strategies taken from the theater.
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Step-by-step guidance through the process of writing a speech ,
including an explanation of the function of different kinds of speeches and
the unique requirements of writing the spoken word.
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How to deliver a speech effectively
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What to do with your hands and feet
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Avoiding verbal ticks (such as “um” and “uh”)
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Developing an awareness of cadence
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Connecting with the audience
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Exercises for improving voice and overcoming stage fright
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Beginning and ending a speech with force and interest
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Tips and checklists
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Numerous practical examples, which the authors analyze in-depth, that
illustrate what works in public speaking and what doesn’t.
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The final chapter examines a number of iconic speeches that were
delivered for a variety of reasons and explains why they work.
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A companion website which contains video examples that
illustrate how to deliver a speech well.
University
of Virginia Article
Tongue
Tied America
Summary of Contents
Prologue
Part I: Essentials of Persuasion
Ch. 1. Our Case: The Abiding Importance of Speech
Ch. 2. The Canons of Persuasion
Ch. 3. The Wide Variety of Rhetorical Formats
Part II: Getting from Here to There
Ch. 4. Writing the Spoken Word
Ch. 5. Hallmarks of Distinguished Mechanics: Bringing a Speech to Life
Ch. 6. Tools of the Trade: Voice and Breath
Ch. 7. Using Visual Aids
Ch. 8. Gender and Persuasion
Ch. 9. Generational Issues
Ch. 10. To Sum it Up: Checklists on the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Part III: Rhetoric Applied to the Real World
Ch. 11. Rhetoric in Court
Ch. 12. Oral Communications in the Workplace
Ch. 13. The Effects of Technology on Communications Skills
Ch. 14. The Rhetoric of Presidential Campaigns
Ch. 15 Rhetoric Gone Haywire
Part IV: The Best of the Best
Ch. 16. Rhetoric of the Greatest Speeches
Epilogue
Appendix A: A Suggested Cirriculum
Appendix B: A Quick History of Rhetoric
Appendix C: Poverty and Communications Skills
Appendix D: High School or College Debate: A Modest Proposal
