The Woman's Public Speaking Handbook addresses the challenges that are particular to women in the public speaking arena. The handbook arms women with research and examples to help them understand common audience expectations and be prepared to successfully manage speaking situations and develop a public persona. It endorses women's worth and abilities as public speakers and prescribes basic skills for inexperienced and anxious speakers. Authors address the traditional agonistic style of public speaking and the more consensual style that many women prefer.

The handbook's convenient, small size, wide margins, assessments, and "at a glance" information invite students to add annotations and make the handbook a personal reference tool.