· Strong coverage of ethics throughout: o The first public speaking book to include a full chapter on ethics (Ch. 2), the new edition continues to stress to students the importance of being ethical speakers and listeners. o “Ethical Decisions” boxes present mini-cases in which students must choose between controversial courses of action. Thought-provoking questions follow each scenario, providing springboards for engaging classroom debates. o In-chapter discussions of ethical issues throughout the book stress to students how ethics is a part of the entire public speaking process. · Emphasis on speech criticism: o Step-by-step instruction on speech criticism, now presented in a new Appendix A to allow flexibility for when to cover this topic includes discussion of reacting to criticism that shows students how to use feedback constructively. o Critiquing guidelines printed in the back of the book serve as a reference tool. o An annotated speech critique is included in Appendix A, offering an example (with commentary from the authors) to help improve students’ written and oral critiquing. o Annotated speeches appear in Chapters 15, 17, and 18, and illustrate how four students constructed their informative, persuasive, and special occasion speeches. · Emphasis on critical thinking: o In-text discussions of specific critical thinking skills are incorporated throughout the text, appearing early in the chapters to reinforce how critical thinking relates to each topic at hand. · Emphasis on technology: o The Eighth Edition provides a current guide to student research using databases, academic search engines, and Internet sources, with an updated emphasis on how to evaluate Internet sites and a new discussion of the use of Wikipedia. o “Exploring Online” boxes throughout the book emphasize the wealth of useful information on the Internet. · “Key Points” boxes, chapter outlines, and detailed chapter summaries reinforce instruction and aid student review. · Two full chapters on persuasion highlight persuasive theory, types of argument, and a discussion of logical fallacies. · “Speaking with Confidence” boxes feature students throughout the country explaining how Mastering Public Speaking helped them to build their confidence throughout the stages of the public speaking process. · Updated APA and MLA bibliographic references include forms for electronic sources. · Sample speeches represent a diversity of speakers and occasions: student and professional speakers; classroom and contest student speeches; speeches by two-year, four-year, and graduate school students; informative, persuasive, and special occasion speeches (Ch. 15, 17, 18 & Appendix). · A full section on how to cite sources in a speech provides an easy-to-understand reference for students (in Ch. 7 in this edition). · Updated examples reflect greater cultural diversity and changes in technology. · “Theory into Practice” (TIP) features in every chapter help students understand and apply concepts and strategies of public communication to enhance their speaking competence.