Author Description

Create, Converse, Connect – <i>Speak Well</i>.<p> Liz O'Brien teaches students that to speak well is to speak responsibly, confidently, and authentically--to create well-researched and constructed speeches, and to converse, and connect with their audience. Through <i>Speak Well</i>'s listener-centered approach to public speaking, one in which the speaker engages in a vibrant conversation with listeners rather than giving a static performance, students learn that their primary purpose as speakers is to communicate ideas. The result is reduced student anxiety about speech delivery, increased self-assurance, and more authentic, successful speeches. <br><br>In an easy-to-use handbook format, <i>Speak Well</i> guides students through the many choices that speakers must make when crafting and supporting a message, while a series of interactive speech preparation tools and an McGraw-Hill's proven adaptive learning system, LearnSmart, helps them master key course concepts, practice, build confidence, and achieve success in public speaking. <p> McGraw-Hill’s Connect Public Speaking helps students practice, build confidence, and achieve success in public speaking. </p> • Speech Preparation tools give students a wealth of resources to prepare and plan speeches, including a topic helper and customizable outline tool. </p> • A highly flexible speech capture tool saves instructors valuable time in managing assignments and evaluating student speeches. </p> • LearnSmart™, McGraw-Hill’s proven adaptive learning system, guides them toward mastery of key course concepts. </p> • Sample speech videos offer examples for discussion and analysis. </p> • A bank of assignable exercises provides a wealth of opportunity for chapter study and assessment. <p> • Connect is the only integrated learning system that empowers students by continuously adapting to deliver precisely what they need, when they need it, and how they need it, so that your class time is more engaging and effective.