Why do so many people fear public speaking? Maybe it’s because they feel like they have to become someone else, someone smarter and funnier. If people can learn to relax and just be themselves, public speaking can be easier. Not perfect, but better.
Sensory aids and stories really help.
Audiences want speakers who are more natural and conversational, so let’s pretend we are with a bunch of friends and we’re all excited about something, and we want to share it: “Hey, guys, you won’t believe what I just learned!” In other words, be normal and try to just talk like you talk.
Talk Like You Talk has many helpful hints and clever mnemonic tools to help the reader become a more natural speaker. Students say it is fun to read and that it truly reduces the fear of speaking.
Talk Like You Talk, is a great starter kit for an entry-level speech course:
Provides numerous examples from actual college speech students.
Stresses that “variety is the spice of life” when it comes to research, support, sensory aids and delivery.
Contains other chapters on Nerves, Getting Started, Organization, Team Talks, Ethics, Listening, Style, and Keep It Simple.
Features handouts, evaluation checklists, sample topics, and sample outlines.
Stresses the golden rule of speech: Do unto your audience as you would have a speaker do unto you.
David McLaughlin has been teaching Public Communication at Montana State University since 1994. After using Talk Like You Talk for three years (600 students a year among three instructors) and gathering much feedback from students, I know I have achieved my goals:
98% of the students have bought the book
75% of them tell me they have read 75% of the book
50% keep the book and tell me they are sure they will reference it again
Table of Contents:
CHAPTER 1: Nerves
General Nerves
Academic World Nerves
College Speeches Are NOT COMPETITION!
Academic Speeches Are Teacher Dependent
Real-World Nerves
Real-World Speeches Are Boss Dependent
Don’t Expect Much of a Critique
Hints to Reduce Nervousness
CHAPTER 2: Getting Started
WHY Give the Speech?
WHO is Your Audience?
Demographics
Psychographics
Mixographics
Professographics
WHAT Type of Speech?
Persuasion Speeches
Informative Speeches
Entertainment Speeches
WHERE Will It Happen?
WHEN Will It Happen?
CHAPTER 3: Content
Topic Choice
Research (SMILE)
Surveys
Media
Internet
Library
Expert Interviews
Support Variety (CENTS)
Comparisons and Contrasts
Examples and Explanations
Numbers
Testimony (Quotations)
Stories
CHAPTER 4: Sensory Aids
Principles (Theory)
Variety of Aids (BECOT)
Blackboard
Electronic
Costuming
Objects
Transparencies
Guidelines (Practical)
Do I Need a Sensory Aid?
Making/Planning Sensory Aids
Using Aids During the Speech
CHAPTER 5: Organization
General Organization
Twenty Overt Speech Steps
You Must Outline!
Why Do Outlines?
Types of Outlines
Outline Steps
Outline Mechanics
Logical Patterns
Body First
Introduction/Conclusion Last
Five Steps of an Introduction
Four Steps of a Conclusion
Attention Step
Purpose Statement
Motivation Step
Credibility Step
Preview
Restate Purpose
Summary
Remotivation
Closure
CHAPTER 6: Delivery
Talk Like You Talk
Sincerity
Methods of Delivery
Manuscript
Memorization
Impromptu
Extemporaneous
Key Elements of Delivery
Volume
Eyes
Face
Inflection
Movement
Gestures
Posture
Words
Being Too Formal
Poor Grammar
Wrong Words
Articulation/Enunciation Errors
Pronunciation Errors
Filler Words
Repeat Words/Phrases
Gum
Practice
CHAPTER 7: Team Talks
Why Team Talks?
Administration
Determine Group Members
Date/Time/Location
Everyone Get the Same Grade?
Special Formats
Content or Delivery Focus
Meeting Location/Time
Topic
Contacts List
Tricks of the Trade
Pick a Leader
Followers Lead, Too!
Task and Social Teams
Talk Equal Time
Everyone Does Own Work
Team Introduction/Conclusion
Fall into the Team TRAP
Be There, on Time
Be Ready, with Research
Be Attentive to the Agenda
Be Polite and Personable
Compromise
Practice and Presentation
CHAPTER 8: Keep It Simple
Purpose
Time
Content
Comparisons
Examples
Numbers
Testimony
Stories
Sensory Aids
Organization
Words
CHAPTER 9: Ethics
The Golden Rule
How Do YOU Define Evil?
How Do YOU Define Honesty?
How Do YOU Define Ethics?
EVIL Is Defined by Your Religion
HONESTY Is Defined by the Law
ETHICS Is Defined by Your Philosophy
General Ethical Guidelines
Freedom of Speech
Audience Before Thy Self
Integrity in Thy Purpose
Integrity in Thy Content
Integrity in Thy Words and Aids
Plagiarism vs Citation
CHAPTER 10: Listening
Listening Basics
Barriers to Listening
Critical Listening/Thinking
Teach Yourself
Critique Yourself
Critique Others
CHAPTER 11: Extra Credit
You Have Style!
Word Choice
Word Cautions
Humor
Questions and Answers (Q&A)
Teaching and Preaching vs Speaking
Extra Credit Speaking
Instructor Communication
One, Last, Extra Thought
Conclusion
Appendices
A. Summary Checklist for Summaries
B. CENTS
C. BECOT
D. Peer Evaluating Questions
E. Peer Evaluation Form
F. Outline Template
G. Sample Outlines
H. Sample Topics
Bibliography
Index
