No Future in This Country: The Prophetic Pessimism of Bishop Henry McNeal Turner is a history of the career of Bishop Henry McNeal Turner (1834-1915), specifically focusing on his work from 1896 to 1915. Drawing on the copious amount of material from Turner's speeches, editorial, and open and private letters, Andre E. Johnson tells a story of how Turner provided rhetorical leadership during a period in which America defaulted on many of the rights and privileges gained for African Americans during Reconstruction. Unlike many of his contemporaries during this period, Turner did not opt to proclaim an optimistic view of race relations. Instead, Johnson argues that Turner adopted a prophetic persona of a pessimistic prophet who not only spoke truth to power but, in so doing, also challenged and pushed African Americans to believe in themselves. At this time in his life, Turner had no confidence in American institutions or that the American people would live up to the promises outlined in their sacred documents. While he argued that emigration was the only way for African Americans to retain their ""personhood"" status, he also would come to believe that African Americans would never emigrate to Africa. He argued that many African Americans were so oppressed and so stripped of agency because they were surrounded by continued negative assessments of their personhood that belief in emigration was not possible. Turner's position limited his rhetorical options, but by adopting a pessimistic prophetic voice that bore witness to the atrocities African Americans faced, Turner found space for his oratory, which reflected itself within the lament tradition of prophecy.

Leading Your Audience: A Systematic Approach to Public Speaking is designed to prepare students to lead as public speakers in the classroom and beyond. The text increases readers' understanding of the principles and processes of communicating effectively in public situations. As students participate in the process, they become proficient in basic speaking skills, while increasing their confidence successfully in a variety of contexts. Over the course of 11 chapters, students are presented with material compiled in a strategic order to maximize time and learning during the academic term. They learn incrementally while they practice, build proficiency, and complete speech assignments in each chapter. Written in a conversational tone to reduce stress, students navigate through simplified formulas and lists that contain clear and concise content that is cross-referenced throughout the text. The third edition features more timely and detailed examples, practical explanations, and fresh sources. Material on evaluating types of sources for reliability, detecting misinformation and disinformation, the impacts of technology, understanding audience diversity, digital audience considerations, group collaboration, and more has been expanded or added. Extensively class tested, Leading Your Audience is an ideal textbook for foundational or advanced courses in public speaking both in person and online.

Across national and cultural borders, the archetype of the fool has played a significant role in how communities interpret and ascribe identity. As Charles Campbell and Johan Cilliers remind us, the Christian preacher, tasked with delivering a paradoxical gospel, is a fool. In a delicate exploration with enlightening results, Preaching Fools uses a diverse representation of fools and foolish actions to show how modern preaching is inseparable from the folly of the cross. Campbell and Cilliers walk the fine line between the ugliness and beauty of the gospel and challenge readers toward a deeper engagement with its unsettling message.

Personal presence gives you the power to inspire, to influence, to excite, to question and to connect. We all have it within us. Yet many of us freeze or falter when speaking in public. As an actor on national TV and as a coach to high-performing professionals, Sarah Thurstan knows there are no set answers for how to give your best when you take the stage. It's a highly personal story for each of us. In this book, she guides you through how you can bring your natural self and your authentic voice to when you are speaking in public. In 15 chapters, she discusses how to master your fears, craft your message, share your stories, express your values and act when the spotlight is on you. These are skills which we can all learn and improve, whether as polished performers or as nervous beginners. We can always become a better version of ourselves when speaking in public and engaging our audiences.

This is the essential guide to the most transferable of all student skills: delivering a presentation clearly, coherently and confidently. Written in a friendly and accessible style, it takes the fear out of public speaking and helps students to acquire the skills they need to deliver effective presentations at university and in their future careers. Revised and updated throughout, it provides readers with practical guidance on controlling their nerves, creating visual aids and structuring presentations. This is an invaluable resource for students of all disciplines in further or higher education who have to give presentations as part of their course. It is also ideal for recent graduates looking to hone their presentation skills as they enter the job market. New to this Edition: - Fully updated to reflect the latest developments in technology, with new material on making the most of the latest software, platforms and networking tools - Gives students even more support with additional exercises and checklists