Straight Talk

Oral Communication for Career Success

Paul R. Timm, Sherron Bienvenu

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2011
• Print ISBN: 9780415801973
• eBook ISBN: 9781136909153
• Topic: Business
• Subtopic: Business General
• Index: Business

Straight Talk: Oral Communication for Career Success has a fresh new approach that gives tools needed to communicate with confidence.

This text provides a thorough overview and hands-on practice in the speech communication skills essential for life and work success. Whether talking person to person, in a group, or in front of an audience, plenty of practical applications give hands on experience in: practicing effective speaking, handling conversations, participating in teams, and gaining confidence in delivering formal and informal presentations.

This book also helps students prepare for competitive events and includes the Presents the 5 Step Strategic Communication tactics students can immediately apply and practice communications skills.

Index

accent, speaking with 144

ANSA pattern, persuasive messages:

1-attention, gaining audience 96–7;

2-need, developing 96, 97;

3-solution, offering 96, 98;

4-action close 96, 98–9;

example 99;

worksheet 104

anxiety management:

public speaking 138;

relaxation 155;

stage-fright, as normal 155–8;

symptoms, overcoming 156–7

area charts 121, 122

attention grabbers:

anxiety management 158;

effective meetings 178–9;

introductions 78;

persuasive messages 86, 97;

stories as 109–10

audiences:

attitudes 37;

concerns, consistent 38;

context analysis 4, 8–19, 28, 32–42;

decision makers 33–4;

facts, personal/professional 34–7;

gender differences 253–7;

hidden 33, 34, 224;

hidden agenda, acknowledgment of 41–2;

identifying all potential 32–4;

learning about each 34–7;

meaning of 3;

needs of 12–13;

notes, making 37;

objectives with each, defining 38–42;

primary 32–3, 34;

‘wants’ of, versus your ‘needs’ 37–8, 68, 256

bad-news messages:

alternative, offering 90, 93;

ANSA pattern 96–9;

apology, avoiding 92, 93;

buffer, neutral or mildly-positive 91;

clarity 89–90;

communication, effective 88;

de-emphasis 90, 92–3;

direct versus indirect approach 90;

empathy 88–9;

goodwill 88;

message example 91;

optimistic close, using 90, 93;

‘quick-and-dirty’ 90, 94–9;

reasons 90, 92;

STARR pattern 94–6;

transition 90, 91–2

Baker, Stephen 168

balance theory 97

bar charts 121

big idea 76, 82, 87

brainstorming 189;

action, from ideas 180;

competitiveness, appropriate 181;

extended benefits of 181;

facilitation skills 181;

fear, living in 180;

ideas, combining and extending 180;

individual 180...

Table of contents

• Contents
• About the Authors
• one Introduction to the Straight Talk Model
• two Define Context Before Speaking or Participating
• three Consider Your Media, Source, and Timing Options
• four Select and Organize Your Message Content
• five Enhance Your Message with Powerful Support Material
• six Deliver Your Message with Confidence and Impact
• seven Contribute to Effective Meetings
• eight Participate in Effective Conversations and Interviews
• nine Evaluate Feedback for Continued Success
• Reference Tool
• Notes
• Index