Proclamation!

A Christian Guide to Public Speaking

Neff

• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Year: 2007
• eBook ISBN: 9781498276153
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Religion

At long last here is a textbook for the basic public speaking course--one that integrates a Christian worldview with up-to-date scholarship in the field of communication. Proclamation! covers the standard speech types: informative speech, persuasive speech, and ceremonial speech. In addition, Blake J. Neff recognizes that Christians need to know how to deliver an edifying speech and a personal testimony speech. Neff acknowledges that one of the reasons to study public address at the university level is that God has commanded His people to "always be prepared to give an account" (1 Peter 3:15). Proclamation! prepares Christians to speak not only as one to many but also as members of interpersonal or small groups. Christian teachers of public speaking will appreciate the assistance this book offers toward integrating faith with learning. Students will applaud the practical and readable approaches found in Proclamation!

1

Good Grief! Public Speaking

Chapter Challenges

A careful reading of Chapter 1 will provide insight into these chapter challenges:

1. What are the primary reasons to study public speaking?

2. Identify the five settings of communication.

3. What elements of communication are common to each of the five settings?

At the Student Union Roundtable

“Four great classes and public speaking.” Janelle sighed as she looked over her schedule for the new semester.

“Yeah, bummer,” agreed Cynthia. “Why is public speaking a general education requirement anyway? I’m nervous already, just thinking about having to stand up in front of the class to give a speech.”

“At least you will be giving speeches in your mother-tongue,” said Belsa with a grin. “If I could give speeches in Spanish, I’d look forward to the class. But in English, I’m not so sure.”

“¡Oh sí, amigo!” Ryan laughed. “Your English is better than mine, even if you did just move to the States from Honduras a few months ago. Actually, I’m looking forward to public speaking. So we have to give a few speeches—that sure beats the one thousand pages of reading we’ve got in Old Testament Survey.”

“Or the fifteen-page research paper in American History,” said Jess with a sigh. “Besides, we’ve all agreed to meet here at the student union every day after chapel to study. How tough can it be?”

“I’m sure we can handle the things that we study for when we are together. But it’s not the written work or the reading or the tests that I’m concerned about,” Jannelle argued. “I’m just not excited about actually doing the public speaking, and I can’t see any real value in it. What’s the point?”

“I agree. Why do we have to take public speaking anyway?” Cynthia moaned as the others nodded their agreement.

Why Public Speaking?

This student union roundtable discussion is not unique. In fact, scenes like it are played out on campuses across America at the beginning of every new term. The question “Why must I take a course in public speaking?” is echoed again and again. Research indicates that the most common student-answer to the question is simply, “Because I have to.”1 But better reasons to take a course in public speaking exist than the fact that the best colleges and universities in America require it. Upon careful consideration, at least nine additional reasons to take a course in public speaking emerge.

Reason #1 Enhanced Interpersonal Relationships

In Genesis 2:18 God examined the work of creation and made the evaluative comment, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (New International Version). God then created a companion for Adam. Since that time human beings have been involved in interaction with others and in interpersonal relationships. Further, satisfaction in life depends to a large extent on an individual’s ability to communicate within these relationships. Whether a person is among friends socially, at home with family members, interacting with coworkers on the job, or dialoging in a fellowship group at church, communication is an important key to life satisfaction.

Many aspects of general communication are explored in a public speaking class. The skills necessary to be effective at interpersonal communication are refined and honed even though the main focus is public address. For example, public speaking students learn to both improve their listening skills and sharpen their use of language. They also develop the ability to organize their thoughts and refine their ability to make use of various persuasive appeals. In short, successful public speaking students develop a more effective style of communication and hence improved interpersonal interactions and enhanced relationships.

Reason #2 Improved Academic Standing

The skills learned in a public speaking class are applicable in other academic pursuits. As a result, public speaking students often discover that, when they apply the techniques they have learned, they see marked improvement in their grades in other courses.

That was the case with Kevin, who waited until the second semester of his senior year to take the public speaking course required for his major. He had enrolled several times, but whenever he felt the symptoms of communication apprehension, he dropped the class. After successfully completing the course, Kevin lamented, “I should have stuck it out before. So many of the topics discussed would have helped me get better grades in all my other classes.”

Kevin is absolutely right. For example, effective listening skills can be used to evaluate and absorb lectures in disciplines such as history, chemistry, biblical studies, and English. In fact, regardless of the field of study, much of the educational process involves students listening to faculty lectures. It naturally follows that those who learn to listen effectively earn better grades.

In addition, an increasing number of college-level classes require individual or group presentations. Using effective public speaking skills makes such presentations much more effective. On presentation assignments, those who have compelling speeches that are well researched and effectively delivered will invariably gain better grades.

Further, many college-level classes require a research paper. The same skills that enable a student to do research for an effective speech presentation can also be applied to research papers in Bible survey, biology, or art appreciation. Those who master these research techniques are therefore more likely to get high marks on research projects in all of their courses.

Reason #3 Sharpened Leadership Skills

Americans tend to equate leadership with the ability to talk well in public.2 For example, former Secretary of State Colin Powell was widely regarded by members of both political parties in the United States, and by leaders around the world, as an effective international leader. People drew that conclusion about Powell partially because of his skill as an orator.

Similarly, in the world of business, CEOs are often called upon to address stockholders, managers, or customers. It is simply assumed that one in such a high position of leadership will excel in public address as well. Public speaking is so vital to a business leader’s success that a growing number of companies employ ghostwriters to help executives in this crit...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Acknowledgments
• Chapter 1: Good Grief! Public Speaking
• Chapter 2: From the Other Side of the Lectern
• Chapter 3: Speak Confidently
• Chapter 4: Speaking Ethically
• Chapter 5: Deciding on a Speech Topic
• Chapter 6: Developing the Speech
• Chapter 7: Designing the Speech
• Chapter 8: Delivering the Speech
• Chapter 9: Speeches to Inform
• Chapter 10: Speeches to Persuade
• Chapter 11: Speeches to Edify
• Chapter 12: Speeches to Celebrate
• Glossary
• Bibliography