Part 1: The Art of Speaking 1. Can We Talk? 2. Effective Communication Part 2: Building a Speech 3. Audience: Understanding the Listeners 4. Content: Making the Message Valuable 5. Organization: Making the Speech Easy to Follow 6. Visual Aids: Enhancing the Words 7. Appearance: Dressing for the Occasion Part 3: Performing a Speech 8. Poise: Appearing Calm and Confident 9. Voice: Making Every Word Heard 10. Life: Putting Passion into the Voice 11. Eye Contact: Engaging Each Listener 12. Gestures: Matching Motions to Words 13. Speed: Pacing for a Powerful Performance Part 4: Putting Theory into Practice 14. Every Day Through the End of the Year 15. Evaluating Speeches 16. Speaking Activities Across the Curriculum Part 5: Speaking Digitally 17. Building Digital Talks 18. Performing for Virtual Audiences 19. Evaluating Digital Talks 20. Digital Speaking Activities Across the Curriculum
Biography
Erik Palmer, a consultant and author from Denver, Colorado, spent twenty-one years in the classroom teaching English, math, science, and civics. Before teaching, he was the national sales leader for a prominent brokerage firm. Now, he frequently presents at educational conferences, and has led workshops for teachers and school leaders across the United States and around the world.
"There is not a better book on teaching speaking than this one. I’ve been using PVLEGS for over a decade and it never gets old. Get this book."
—Dave Stuart Jr., high school teacher and author of The Will to Learn
"Well Spoken is an essential guide for educators aiming to cultivate confident and capable speakers. Erik demonstrates that speaking skills can and should be taught. The second edition brings his ideas alive in the new digital age where these skills are even more valuable."
—Russell Findlay, CEO of Speakers Trust, the UK's largest dedicated public speaking charity.
"Erik Palmer’s PVLEGS should be the cornerstone to every school’s curriculum. Students in today’s world need specific and guided coaching on how to look up and connect with the world around them, so they can present themselves for success.
I have been integrating Erik’s books into my ELA & Drama curriculum for over twelve years, and I have seen measurable and meaningful success in thousands of middle school and high school students. Whether it be with an elbow partner or an assembly, Palmer’s books provide concrete scaffolding on how we should speak aloud. When students apply the PVLEGS, they face the common fear of public speaking and say, ‘Let’s dance.’"
—Alyssa Brumbaugh, middle school and drama teacher
“Clearly written and full of numerous effective strategies, Well Spoken offers invaluable advice and tools for teachers who recognize the importance of teaching the art of speech”
—Kelly Gallagher, teacher, author, speaker, coach
