Competent Public Speaker

Sherwyn P. Morreale (PhD, University of Denver) is Director of Graduate Studies in Communication at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. For eight years, she served as Associate Director of the National Communication Association (NCA) where she worked to promote communication pedagogy and research. She has authored or co-authored 22 refereed scholarly articles in national and regional journals, 14 books and monographs, and 14 book chapters. She has presented numerous programs at national and regional conventions and many workshops on public speaking, communication assessment, and curriculum development on campuses across the country.Recent Recognitions in the Communication Discipline include: 2011 Trust Across America List of the Top 100 Thought Leaders in Trustworthy Business Behavior; National Communication Association 2010 Samuel L. Becker Distinguished Service Award; and 2009 Annual Award for Communication Excellence in the Discipline, Rocky Mountain Communication Association.

«There is a useful Latin saying, «Res ipsa loquitur» that translates to «The thing speaks for itself.» The saying is an apt description of The Competent Speaker by Sherwyn Morreale. Professor Morreale is herself the model of a competent speaker and has both the academic background and professional qualifications to write a practical and readable textbook for the beginning but aspiring public speaker.» (Frank E.X. Dance, John Evans Professor Emeritus, University of Denver)«The Competent Speaker Textbook is comprehensive, has new material not found in other public speaking texts, and is written to encourage and support developing public speaking excellence. Although definitely a research-based text, students will find the text readable, supportive, and truly outstanding.» (Pamela Shockley-Zalabak, Chancellor, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs)«The Competent Speaker is much more than a competent textbook. Based on the National Communication Association’s conceptual model for teaching and evaluating undergraduate public speeches, this new public speaking textbook successfully combines traditional approaches to public speaking with current theory and research. The book’s unique blending of eight core competencies with globalization, technology, ethics, culture, and diversity provide both students and faculty with highly applicable knowledge and skills. A strength of the book is its highly accessible and easy-to-use approach to this important skill. The content is well-supported by examples of student speaking experiences, useful assessment tools, applicable competence building activities, and sample speeches. The combination of the core competencies, traditional and current theory, along with very useful pedagogical tools makes this textbook a winner for any public speaking class.» (Phil Backlund, Professor, Central Washington University, and NCA Educational Policies Board member)«Sherwyn Morreale’s ‘Competent Public Speaker’ is an excellent text for the beginning public speaking course. Based upon the most frequently used assessment rubric in the field, the text is very readable and personal. Morreale grasps the student perspective and builds upon it. The learning aids including definitions, knowledge checks, and class and individual activities are creative and will assist students in identifying and applying the concepts presented. The Competent Public Speaker is also a good text for a course that is often first for many communication majors. It introduces theories and frameworks that students will consider in later course work. For example, the second chapter provides an overview of the history of the field and also incorporates Nonwestern developments. The chapter on persuasion integrates social judgment theory. The Competent Public Speaker provides the thorough foundation students need to become strong public speakers and begin their study in the discipline.» (Ellen Hay, Professor of Communication Studies, Augustana College)

• Based on the National Communication Association's conceptual model for teaching and evaluating undergraduate public speeches (as developed by the author and others), Sherwyn P. Morreale offers a highly accessible, easy-to-teach, easy-to-learn approach to public speaking. The approach adopted in the text includes eight public speaking competencies - four on speech preparation and four on speech delivery - which are enhanced by emphasizing the impact of technology, ethics, culture, and diversity on public speaking. A number of unique features designed to improve teaching and learning include: - Students used as examples in each chapter so that readers can follow them as they learn about public speaking; - Tables and boxed text to reinforce the most important learning points; - Checkpoint and self-assessment tools so that readers can determine their level of competence and find out whether they are ready to proceed to the next chapter; - Competence-building activities for students to apply chapter concepts and practice public speaking strategies in the classroom or as take-home assignments; - An accompanying website which is updated on a regular basis and offers a forum for students to contact the author. Designed for introductory-level public speaking courses taught at two- and four-year colleges and universities, this text offers a distinctively practical alternative for students and teachers to achieve consistency across multiple sections of the public speaking course. An instructor's manual is available on request.