Essential Guide to Public Speaking: Serving Your Audience with Faith, Skill, and Virtue

by Quentin J. Schultze

Whether at a business meeting, church gathering, or social function, most of us will be called upon at some time to speak publicly. As Christians, we are called to speak not only with effectiveness but also in a way that honors God and embodies Christian virtue. In An Essential Guide to Public Speaking, communications expert Quentin J. Schultze encourages readers to become servant speakers who faithfully serve their audiences as neighbors. Besides providing a biblical perspective on public speaking, this accessible book also covers such practical topics as overcoming common challenges, the importance of listening, and the art of preparing and delivering well crafted speeches. Filled with helpful sidebars, checklists, and tips, this is a book for any person who wishes to improve his or her public speaking skills.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Audiobook

112 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 2006

About the author

Quentin J. Schultze (PhD, University of Illinois) is Arthur H. DeKruyter Chair and professor of communication arts and sciences at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is also distinguished professor at Spring Arbor University. Schultze has been quoted in major media including the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, US News & World Report, the New York Times, Fortune, the Chicago Tribune, and USA Today. He has been interviewed by CNN, CBS, NBC, ABC, and NPR and is the author of many books including An Essential Guide to Public Speaking.

Reviews

[Avery Amstutz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kinda mid tbh. Sure it had some ok things. Good text for high school speech, little dull otherwise.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The strongest part of this book is it's call to be servant speakers who are quicker to listen then to speak while being prepared to advocate and persuade when needed.

It's also extremely practical.

[Linda Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a good book for a Christian high school class. There are plenty of good ideas and tips for people just getting started with public speaking opportunities. Any young adult would benefit from this as well.

I may have received a few helpful ideas, but I'm 70 and have no intention of doing any public speaking during the rest of my life, so I wasn't as enthusiastic for the topic as some others might be. I read this only because I'm doing a reading challenge that required me to read a book about public speaking.

The final chapter was about making videos. That interested me more than many other chapters because I do make YouTube Booktube videos and I am open to any ideas on how to make them better.

[Issabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was unique because it is less about *how* to speak well, but *why* you should speak with honor to God, though it does include practical tips. As a public speaker, it was a bit redundant and repeated what seems to me to be common knowledge, however, the same may not be for others. There is nothing unique about the writing style itself, though, and at times it could be a bit dry.

[Elena Hebson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the assigned textbook for my college public speaking class. Although a lot of the information it contains was either a review of previous knowledge or merely common-sense advice, I still found it helpful to my class. The writing is easy to read and well-organized, and I really appreciated how the author's Christian focus was intertwined. I found his view of public speaking as "servant speaking" a good way to approach speech planning for my class. Overall, I would recommend it for anyone who needs a basic introduction to public speaking or is looking for a uniquely Christian perspective on it.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had not delayed reading this very concise and thorough guide on public speaking. I had no idea how readable and relevant it would be to consider so many aspects of public speaking. I appreciated the points about story telling and considering who your audience is. I will read this reminder again. Well done.

[Edikan Udoh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, its quite refreshing as a Christian to come across literature that addresses basic topics from a sound Christian perspective. The way Quentin addresses rhetorics in this book makes it a common ground for rhetoricians and Christians alike. Fabulous content.

[Rob O'Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is lacks in content beyond being a basic speech course textbook, it makes up for in examples and suggestions. Also, the final two chapters on technology do set this text apart from most other books in the field.

[Jeannine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used as a textbook for class. Brief christian focus on public speaking.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read the book for an assignment. Its content was very informative and enlightening.

[L.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is truly amazing book! It is a Christian view on public speaking and is not (just) for pastors or Sunday teachers. It can really help you to serve as best as you can those who you are spaking to. When spaking in public you shoud be responsible and even you do not mention a thing about you faith the speach that you deliver should be from a Christian world view (ie to serve the public) which is essential in this postmodern times, as a social testimony.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Straight forward and easy to read. If you are a neophyte to the topic of public speaking this book serves as a good, yet brief, introduction. This book is written with a Christian audience in view, which I greatly appreciated, and spent quite a bit of time covering ethical elements of speaking. But if you are looking for technique, you will have to look elsewhere.

[Andy Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is somewhat abstract and idealistic in style, much more big picture / less concrete than most other public speaking books. If you're an NF on the Myers-Briggs, you'll feel like you're spending time with an old friend.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book that uses the Christian faith to grow the speaking perspective of otherwise reluctant speakers. It helped me to change my attitude toward speaking and to look at it as an act of service and an act of faith.

[Josh Shepherd · Rating 2 out of 5]

About as essential as all the other essential guides.

[Ánder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book, short and easy to read. Has some great advice on both the practical and the philosophical ends of public speaking.