Public Speaking for Modern Learners: Self-Assurance, Adaptability, and Professional Growth by Joe Cruz

Published by WashU Libraries on Pressbooks

Public Speaking for Modern Learners: Self-Assurance, Adaptability, and Professional Growth provides a practical, streamlined approach to oral communication in social and professional settings. The book seeks to meet the needs of modern learners and provide accessible, relevant, and adaptable lessons on developing communication and public speaking skills in a variety of environments. Joe Cruz, Academic Director of Management & Organizational Change at WashU Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS), developed the text for Oral Communication, a required course for the BSIS in Strategic Communications at WashU.

Each chapter of Public Speaking for Modern Learners focuses on building specific public speaking skills, such as developing strategies for managing anxiety and building confidence; learning to structure your ideas to create a purposeful, easy-to-follow message; understanding your audience and tailoring your message to them; and more. In addition, the book is designed to be a living document that can be continuously updated and revised to reflect new research, communication strategies, and up-to-date examples. As Cruz puts it, “Communication itself is an ever-evolving process, shaped by human experience. This book is designed to reflect that same dynamic. It’s a shared tool, built to support you now, but also to adapt with each new group of students who bring their own voices into the process” (Learning Through an Open Educational Resource).

Public Speaking for Modern Learners is an open educational resource published by WashU Libraries in partnership with the DI2 Accelerator Award for Open Educational Resources. The complete list of award winners is shared on the WashU Libraries’ website.

About the Author

Joe Cruz is the Academic Director of Management and Organizational Change and an instructor at the School of Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) at WashU. He earned his B.A. from Kean University, his M.A. from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and his Ph.D. in mass communications from Pennsylvania State University.

His research and teaching interests include media ethics, organizational communication, and civic engagement. His work has appeared in journals such as the International Journal of Communication, Atlantic Journal of Communication, and Qualitative Research Reports in Communication. He has taught public speaking and oral communication for several years.

About Open Books at WashU Libraries

Are you interested in creating an open textbook or accessible digital publication related to teaching, learning, or research at Washington University? Pressbooks is an easy-to-use tool for WashU authors to publish openly licensed books in multiple formats on a professional platform optimized for learning. Contact Cadence Cordell, Digital Publishing Manager, to request a consultation.