PUBLIC SPEAKING is a culturally informed book that never loses sight of its fundamental purpose: to train students to be effective public speakers and listeners in a world filled with monumental cultural, political, and technological changes. It applies 2,500-year-old principles with up-to-date research into concepts, skills, theories, applications, and critical thinking proficiencies essential for listening and speaking in today's world. Its discussions of classic public speaking topics are all grounded in an awareness of the impact of cultural nuances--ranging from gender differences to co-cultures within the United States to the traditions of other nations. This provides speakers with a heightened awareness of and sensitivity to the audience.