Traditionally organized and comprehensive yet briefer than the competition. Speak Up offers a traditional table of contents and broad coverage of all topics typically covered in the introductory course yet is still about 25% briefer than traditional texts. It gives practical, accessible guidance for every step in the speechmaking process -- from invention and organization to practice and delivery -- and consistently focuses on helping students adapt their messages to particular audiences.
Compelling writing and examples. Instructor and student reviewers consistently praise Speak Up's engaging writing style and numerous real-world examples ripped from the headlines and derived from the authors' own experience. Each chapter opens with an absorbing vignette focusing on key concepts, while examples throughout show situations from the classroom, workplace, community, and public sphere. Specifics in this edition include students lobbying city council to change local animal protection laws, Ted Kennedy speaking at Oral Roberts's Liberty University, arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court about cell phone privacy, and many more.
500+ illustrations that bring concepts to life. While other books mainly offer stock photos of people at podia, the illustrations in Speak Up are custom designed to exemplify virtually every key concept in the text. The illustrations are pedagogically superior to traditional photos, acting as visual metaphors that help clarify complex concepts that often elude students and serving as powerful study aids for review and retention.
A book that students can afford. Speak Up's manageable, engaging chapters and compelling visuals are paired with an affordable price that's about less than half the amount of traditional speech texts.