Offers guidelines for preparing and presenting papers at American Business Communication Association (ABCA) conferences. Topics covered include: (1) types of delivery, (2) extemporaneous speaking, and (3) manuscript speaking. (FL)

The essence of giving a good speech is to view it as a managerial problem/opportunity and apply the four management functions to resolve it. These four functions are (1) planning; (2) organizing; (3) motivating; and (4) controlling. (JOW)

This paper argues that western instructors of public speaking courses, along with those in the forensics community, can benefit from the insights offered by the eastern tradition. Examining the Indian religious text, the "Bhagavad Gita," reveals insights that can change the way message construction, audience empathy, and speaker…

The teacher-coach involved in a contemporary speech tournament rarely, if ever, hears eloquent speeches. The forensic vigor of oratory may be restored through a form of address called the speech to stimulate or the epideictic oratory. Such speeches may include declamatory speeches, speeches of praise (or blame), or speeches for special occasions.…

Discusses the use of mythical images to create a transcendent vision of order and analyzes the efforts of a leading Irish speaker as he argued against legislative union with Great Britain in 1800. (VLC)

Makes suggestions for people planning to sponsor or speak at conferences devoted to writing. (EL)

The key element to the survival of speech communication and its status in academe is the basic course, which tells the academic community what speech communication is and what it can produce in terms of observable student behavior. This basic course, upon which many communication departments depend, must produce students who are obviously trained…

No teaching method is more widely used and yet more strongly criticized than the lecture. Yet, an examination of more than 40 basic public speaking textbooks reveals that lecturing is seldom mentioned. There are, perhaps, several reasons for this omission. For example, authors of textbooks might feel that (1) material on lecturing duplicates their…

Developing a conference presentation involves both assembling and delivering the materials. In selecting a topic, speakers should consider their own prior knowledge and experience, the topic's interest and significance for them as well as for the audience, and the amount of information available. They can research materials on the chosen topic…

A study of President Ronald Reagan's speeches reveals not only a President intent on "identifying directly with the people," but a spokesman adept at the use of symbolic communication as well. Probably the most obvious symbol of the campaign for economic renewal is the term "Reaganomics" itself. Referentially, it has come to…

A forensics background offers the greatest advantages for attorneys who engage in trial and appelate work. Successful lawyers build upon a few basic qualities: (1) the ability to view objectively the arguments on both sides of the case, (2) adequate research and preparation, (3) correct choices as to which arguments to press, (4) a well-conceived…

The lecturer's first job is to get the students' attention. Techniques to hold the students' interest include: adapting the lecture to the audience; covering a few topics in depth rather than many superficially; and putting variety in the format. Nonverbal communication is as important as the content of the lecture. (JN)

An essayist shares ideas on the making of good speeches. Elements recommended include establishing rapport early, structuring the speech well, using language for movement, making the most of the occasion, focusing comments carefully, phrasing well, communicating purpose, having a theme, avoiding problematic vocabulary, and arriving at completion.…

Recent studies show that training in oral communication skills is one of the primary needs of industry. Among those skills are listening, persuading, and instructing. One reason that oral communication skills are becoming increasingly important is that business, industrial, and government organizations are larger and more complicated than they…

Recounts the gratifications of being a debate coach, which include seeing the progress of students, the increased personal contact with students, and the interesting uses of the training. (EL)