What your colleagues had to say…

“[This] is a basic course text that uses technology to enhance and teach traditional public speaking concepts. The technology is almost seamless for both student and teacher. The content is written from an updated cultural perspective which recognizes the changes that are taking place in human communication because of technology.”
Jennifer Cochrane, Indiana University —Purdue University Indianapolis

“It appears to me that there is an attempt to engage students in active participation so that they can think through and learn to apply these activities to their own speech preparation. I believe the relationship is optimal, impressively so. I very much like the idea of the [Speech] Buddy segments and feel that our students would use them. It does give the book a unique feature…  My overall impression is positive. I could easily use this text.”
James Floyd, Central Missouri State

“[Public Speaking: The Evolving Art: Enhanced Edition]is comprehensive, flexible, and provides technology that is appropriate for today's students. It also covers traditional public speaking information. The most compelling about the project is that it was well thought out.  It can accomodate community college and senior university students. It is flexible in that an instructor can use the chapters and custom design his/her specific course.”
“The examples are great. They are similar to the examples that I use in my introductory course. This re-affirms my perspective on public speaking. They are practical and the students should be able to easily relate to the examples.”
Cynthia Brown El, Macomb Community College

“I would describe this book as an innovative approach to reexamining the role digital technology plays in not just only [public speaking], but also in our society as well. I would recommend this book to colleagues without a problem.”
Jeffery Tyus, Sinclair Community College

“[This text] is an excellent introductory public speaking textbook, but it’s more. It is an instructional package that provides all the standard material that is typically included in a book on this topic as well as the resources of the Internet both as a secondary source to reinforce the presented material and as a resource for the student in the Information Age.”
George Barnett, The State University of New York, Buffalo

“The Speech Buddy idea is brilliant in that it invites students to vicariously participate in some of the more abstract and ephemeral processes of developing presentations such as brainstorming, a concept that doesn’t translate well into lecture or even reading format. This approach is at least as useful as the more traditional model of [only] showing students the finished product, i.e., videotaped speeches.”
“This seems to me to be the closest thing out there to the complete, multimedia package we’ve all been waiting for….I would definitely consider adopting this package.”
Christine Smith, George Mason University

“I think its closest competitor in the market will be Lucas’ The Art of Public Speaking because it is just as comprehensive…I do think [this text] fares better than Lucas in the chapters on speech anxiety and [incorporating presentational media] into the speech. These two features could make it a more attractive option for faculty that recognize this is an area of concern for their students.”
Frank Irizarry, University of Florida

“This text is not afraid to use terms and ideas that are foundational to the communication field. It excels in its integration of web and video content. Multiculturalism and ethical concerns take center stage rather than being globbed on or not included at all.”
Anthony Lenzo, Purdue University Calumet

“I congratulate the author(s) on good research, clear and substantive writing style, bringing public speaking into the 21st century and considering the "wired" quality of our students' lives. I would order this book in a heartbeat.”
Hannah Rockwell, Loyola University Chicago

“This is one of the best written chapters I have reviewed regarding developing research for speeches. Kudos! Indeed, when we need to find information about a topic, most people go right to the Internet... Learning how to conduct good research involves using the right navigation tools to uncover the best information from the library, organizations, the Internet, and interviews.” 
Patricia Cutspec, East Tennessee State University

“I like the ‘Read it, Watch it, Use it, Review it’ framework of the text. It is an excellent technique to help students of all learning styles to understand and use the material covered in the course. I especially like the Peer Mentor/Speech Buddies Videos--they are delivered by peers who have completed the course (as opposed to a professor with an advanced degree in the field) and are shot at various college campus locations… The explanations that they provide are accurate, practical and helpful. In fact, these explanations are similar to the topic explanations that I deliver during class.”
Richard Lindner, Georgia Perimeter College

“The instructional style enables the student to become involved in the speech preparation process without fear of complexity. (I had some of my students read the material and they found it easy to understand). The transitions work, students can stop and start without having to re-read the chapter content.”
Jose Martinez, El Paso Community College

“Yes, this is one of the clearest and easiest textbooks on public speaking I've read. The language is to the point and not academically arcane.”
Elena Jarvis, Daytona Beach Community College

“I think the language and persuasion chapters are excellent. I especially like the emphasis on Barak Obama's 2004 speech which used no visuals! What a great way to emphasize the power of persuasive language!!!!”
Heather Howley, Cazenovia College

“Public Speaking: the Evolving Art is a new and fresh text that offers complete coverage of traditional speech presentation topics, as well as expanded coverage of issues such as speech anxiety, interviewing, current technologies and research methods. Students will benefit from the inclusion of media they are most familiar within this foundational course.”
Carrie Higgins, Purdue University North Central

“I much prefer, as [Coopman and Lull do], to explain a communication concept and then to show its application to everyday life. If our communication courses are to succeed and meet the needs of the changing student body, we must …remember the changes that have occurred in learning styles based on the impact on technology in the learning environment.”
“I liked [the authors’] focus on technology and cultural changes and the impact upon the discipline. The use of the term, "digital culture" is a very descriptive concept that must be addressed if course materials are to remain current and relevant.”
Betty Jane Lawrence, Bradley University

“Public Speaking: the Evolving Art is a progressive text while still covering the nuts and bolts of public address. Research on the internet is well developed and exceeds other texts I have seen. The diversity of subjects using multiple cultures content is refreshing. This book has ancillaries that will assist students in learning and yield success in public speaking.”
Kathleen Golden, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

“I would describe this text as very down to earth – it is traditional with a technological twist.  It really involves the student in the classroom with a traditional text and outside the classroom with links to video clips and activities.  This approach is much better than a workbook.  The speech buddies are helpful and supportive offering the student an experienced mentor and a perspective other than that of the instructor.“
Bill Price, Georgia Perimeter College

“Overall I really like the video link boxes and speech buddy segments.  The basic concept is sound and purposeful, and the segments would effectively reinforce the material covered in the chapters, which would allow us to approach the information more hands-on in the classroom, which would allow us to cover more ground over the semester.  The segments will also speak to the various types of learners by putting the information in a more conversational manner.”
Carla Harrell, Old Dominion University

“This book covers all of the standard topics of a typical public speaking text, but it seems more current in its research and connects strongly to NCA principles.  It's well written and clear, and it explains some rather complex topics in an accessible way.”
Timothy James, Community  College of Southern Nevada

“If you are looking for a student friendly, theoretically based, and pedagogically sound text for the basic public speaking course, then you’ll want to review Public Speaking [The Evolving Art].  Using the concept of video speech buddies, the authors utilize peer teaching, as well as emphasize the relevance of public speaking in the 21st century. The text is reader friendly, acknowledging the impact of technology in the way today’s college students think and learn.”
Trudy Hanson, West Texas A&M University

“I am thoroughly impressed by [Public Speaking: The Evolving Art] especially due to the conversational writing style. As a community college professor, I am always concerned some texts will be too difficult for our students or presented in a dry, typical academic manner. This textbook, while grounded in research, reads more like a magazine which would keep the attention of its intended audience.  This textbook can remain both academic and accessible at the same time.” 
“The focus of the textbook distinguishes it from other public speaking texts...  This textbook is fully integrated with technology and not simply infused with a few examples now and then.  The chapter on storytelling was very unique as well as the thoroughness of the listening chapter.  The inclusion of a chapter describing both primary and secondary research is a plus for most students think of Internet research as the only form of research.”
Angela Grupas, St. Louis Community College – Meramec

“This text keeps much of the traditional approach while recognizing the needs of the 21st century student.  The text brings a strong awareness of the technological realities of public speaking while still addressing the age old concerns of anxiety, organization, and conveying information in an effective, clear manner.”
David Williams, Texas Tech University

“I do like the concept of the Speech Buddy segment.  I think that many students are not exposed to much, if any at all, public speaking prior to their college years.  Therefore, to visually see how it is done, to have a mentor there to “spell things out,” will greatly enhance the knowledge needed by a speaker prior to making a presentation.”
Christy Coker, UNC Charolotte

“This text specifically addresses the opportunities and challenges students experience in our technologically advanced and ever-changing environment.“
Rachel Pokora, Nebraska Wesleyan

“Public Speaking: The Evolving Art is a very contemporary and up to date text book that covers most traditional public speaking content in a new and refreshing way. The approach toward differences between spoken and written language, narrative, and technology distinguish it from all other texts I’ve read. It presents orality as a creative and distinctive way of communicating and links it to visual communication and technology in interesting ways. It is very well written and its resources and critical challenges are relevant to our students’ experiences.“
Rebecca Lynne Roberts, University of Wyoming

What students have to say…

“When I read through the chapter, I liked the many examples that were given. It seems that there are many more in this book than our current book. I liked the fact it gave examples on good outlines but it also gave examples on how they could be improved… Over all I liked the chapter and if the other chapters are this good, I would have liked to have used this book in my class.”
Andrew Storey, Butler Community College, student of Alexis Hopkins

“I liked the figures of what a speech should look like.  I'm a visual learner and it made it easy for me to get a good idea of the way that a speech was organized.”
Annie Stuedemann, Winona State University, student of Dr. Kelly Herold

“I like how detailed [Chapter 14] was.  It was easy to understand with the examples.”
Hayley Rosen, University of Florida, student of Frank Irizarry

“I liked how chapter 8 gave charts to describe the way a speech should lay-out. It was very easy to understand and follow. Also I liked how the chapter showed the reader how an organized outline should be.”
Heather Johnson, McLennan Community College, student of Leslie Maggard

“Ch. 15- I liked the glossary at the end of the chapter. It's always nice having them there so the entire chapter doesn't have to be scanned over to look for one definition.”
Jennifer Moyer, University of Florida, student of Frank Irizarry

“I like the fact that the material is very to the point. In other words, there is not much filler included. All the text of the chapter is informative and direct.”
Carl Brown, East Tennessee State University, student of Dr. Patti Cutspec

“The best thing about chapter 14 was the diagrams and the questions at the end of the chapter. These questions made me think.  I also like the video link.” 
Atit Patel, University of Florida, student of Frank Irizarry

“I liked the fact that real life examples were used in the chapter. It seems to make things more relevant and applicable. I also liked that the writers included humor in a persuasive speech.”
Kancyce Branson, East Tennessee State University, student of Dr. Patti Cutspec

“The figures and visual representations of the parts of the speech were very helpful and clear.”
Gloria E Rasmussen, American River College, student of Alisa Shubb

“I really liked how everything is explained. Each point has an explanation to it and a reasonable example. The figures in the chapter explaining the different types of speeches and then the paragraphs explaining them really will help a lot.”
“It seems like the difference between a premise and a conclusion may be something difficult for students to grasp. I think that the chapter give plenty of explanation and examples to avoid this. The chapter covers all a student would need to know to give a speech.”
Jessica Birdwell, East Tennessee State University, student of Dr. Patti Cutspec

“It was written in easy to understand language. The examples given were also very easy to relate to actual instances in life. The summary also does a good job of tying everything together. I also liked the figures.”
Holley Sharp, East Tennessee State University, student of Dr. Patti Cutspec

“I thought the chapter was easy to read. I also liked the fact that there were tons of examples provided. It really helps to have it written down and provided right there in front of you. I also like the examples of speeches that other people have written.”
Joanna Barnett, East Tennessee State University, student of Dr. Patti Cutspec

“[I liked] its use of visual aids and it was very easy to read. It didn't make you confused by using so much technical terminology!  Great use of examples!” 
“Great Job on the book.  The chapters seem a little lengthy but that’s coming from someone who isn't a big reader but the video buddy is great!”
Jansen Dissing, Winona State University, student of Dr. Kelly Herold

“I liked how they explained everything pretty well and had a lot of information.  There was everything you would need to know about giving a speech right in that chapter.”
Heather Mathison, Winona State University, student of Dr. Kelly Herold

“I believe this book will be a great benefit to all students who are trying to grasp the complex ideas found in the art of public speaking… The chapter was straight to the point. It was manageable and helped explain more complex ideas by breaking them down to the point where anyone can understand them no matter what their skill level in public speaking.”
Wesley Ramey, East Tennessee State University, student of Dr. Patti Cutspec