1. Public speaking and communication skills are used in most careers and professions, according to Dr. John Tyler, professor of education, in 1998.
2. A national survey conducted in 1996 with the top directors of human services for the country's top corporations shows that public speaking ability and human communication skills are the most valued ability of people promoted into management in private sector corporations.
3. Oprah Winfrey Jane Pauley, Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, 40 of the 50 governors, 35 of the top 60 CEO's all attribute early training in public presentation with having given them a head start on life success, according to a study in Gavel in 1999.
(Transition) Whether we look at exemplary public leaders or corporate moguls, public speaking skills is foundational to their success. If we in this class want to join their ranks, we too must master these fundamental professional abilities. .
B. Second, public speaking skills are easy to learn and master.
1. Carol Thompson, 20, of Georgia State University, commented in a personal interview that she was shocked at how easy it was to go well in the public speaking class, after she had postponed it for nearly two years. .
2. David Cheshier, professor of communication and Director of Debate for the National Institute in High School Forensics said that every year thousands of high school students attend speech and debate camps in the United States learning public speaking and argumentation skills; and, the average great public speaker uses just a small amount of the basic knowledge these 13 and 14 year old students learn.
3. Most good high schools, community colleges, universities and professional schools require basic competency and training in public communication and interpersonal communication, even though the academic content of the course is considered quite easy to learn.
