Rhetorical Public Speaking

The fifth edition of this text empowers students to act as engaged citizens by teaching them the skills of oratory and social influencing necessary to make a difference in a dynamic world.

Placing classical virtues in conversation with contemporary techniques, it presents a rhetorical emphasis on ethos, pathos, and logos as distinct forms of proof and enriches these concepts with contemporary rhetorical theory. This edition includes an updated chapter that examines film theory to define the techniques of recording speeches for use in digital social influencing. It also introduces the place of artificial intelligence in speaking performance, exploring how it can both enhance and undermine the art of public speaking. Chapters include historical speech examples, discussion questions, summary tables, and exercises for review and retention. Finally, chapters conclude with an ethical reflection on the role of public speaking in our digital age of democracy. This book serves as a helpful guide for various public speakers looking to inspire, enlighten, criticize, and advocate.

This text will appeal to students in public speaking and rhetoric courses and instructors interested in bridging the gap between traditional oral performance and engagement in a digital age.

Online resources, including an updated instructor’s manual with discussion questions, test bank, and PowerPoint slides are available at www.routledge.com/9781041329015.