With a commitment to cultural sensitivity and scholarship in the discipline, Principles and Types of Public Speaking combines a focus on contemporary research with practical skills and advice on how to communicate in public settings.

The text focuses on culture and community building, with a goal of helping students to understand how they can adapt to cultural differences and what role communication plays in creating social cohesion, whether speaking in informational, persuasive, ceremonial or business-oriented settings. By focusing on both speechmaking in society and student presentations in the classroom, this text helps students see the relationship between what they are learning and how they can use this knowledge outside of the classroom.