Proper speaking rate is a key attribute of effective communication. Emerging persuasive technologies use computers as a tool to induce human behavioural and attitude changes. This thesis established a computational framework which can persuade people to slow down their speech and communicate more effectively. We defined a conceptual model and implemented a computer software system, both serving as the cornerstones of our persuasion framework. The computer system is designed to persuade people to be aware of their speaking rate and to slow down their speech. The combination of computer technology and persuasive technologies and theories are embedded in the system. In order to conduct effective persuasion, a number of computer-based survey questions were asked and a short tailored letter was generated for each participant. A virtual coach system monitored and reminded the participant to slow down. A few adaptive cues were used to enhance the effects of the persuasion. We evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of the overall system. At the same time, we evaluated the feasibility of individual elements. A total of 22 participants was selected to make up the sample. The experiments were conducted under controlled conditions. The results indicated that our system is effective in persuading people to speak more slowly. The feedback from users indicated that our system raised their awareness about speaking rate.

This thesis explored the findings of 140 colleges and high schools nationally to construct a criteria from which Ball State University could construct an exemption program. This study found that a valid means for exemption in speech included the presentation of a speech and taking an examination. The speech's length should be from five to eight minutes, selected by the high school student, evaluated by the college emphasizing content, organization, grammar, vocabulary, eye contact, and delivery. The written examination, composed by the college, should cover the fundamentals of speaking, discussion, parliamentary procedure, and the different types of speeches.The thesis defined a "top" high school speech student as one who used his speaking ability outside the classroom, obtained awards for his activity, had a variety of experiences in all areas of speech, had taken one year of speech and earned an "A," and had obtained the National Forensic League's (NFL) Degree of Distinction and/or accumulated a determined number of NFL points set up by the college.

Previous research in the field of speech has indicated that critical thinking can be improved through training in discussion, debate, argumentation, and the basic speech class. Critical thinking has also been related to fluency in extemporaneous speaking. The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that there is no significant difference between students' grades in Speech 210 and their scores on the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal. Can the Watson-Glaser Test predict the students' grades in a public speaking class? The hypothesis is also treated with respect to sex, class, selected majors, and delayed acceptance and regular students.The study employed seven statistical tests: the Kruskal-Wallis Rank Test of Significance, the Chi Square Test for Two Independent Samples, the Fisher Exact Probability Test, the Median Test, the T Test for Unmatched Pairs, and the Chi Square Test for "Goodness of Fit" with (a) expected values equal and (b) expected values unequal. The teats, programmed on a Monroe 1766 electronic calculator, were applied to the five null hypotheses. The tests indicate significant correlations in two areas: Watson-Glaser raw scores with respect to psychology majors and marketing majors, and Watson-Glaser raw scores with respect to delayed acceptance and selected sample students. No statistically significant correlation was found between Watson-Glaser scores and final grades given in Speech 210 as a whole, class, sex, and selected majors.

Habilitationsschrift--Marburg. / Summary also in English. Bibliography: p. 179-185.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1962. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 106-113).

Thesis--Turku University, 1966. / On cover: Religious and magical rites of Bantu women in Tanzania. Mimeographed copy of typescript. Bibliography: p.278-285.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Drexel University, 2010. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-76).

This thesis explores the historical trends of persuasion as it functions in the competitive forensic setting, looking at the structures used as well as the topics of the speeches. Persuasion plays a large role in our academic and daily lives, which stresses the importance of studying this area due to the large role it plays in our society. This thesis explores the persuasive speeches in the final round of the Interstate Oratorical Association competition from 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000 and 2010 to document the historical trends of persuasive strategies used as a representation of the role forensics fills in our understanding of persuasive trends.

It was the purpose of this study to investigate the dynamics that exist in a classroom speaking situation. In particular, the study sought to explore the relationship of the speaker to his audience and how the quality of this relationship would affect the ability of the speaker to communicate.

The present study investigated a theory of the etiology and generalization of stuttering behavior. The subjects were 24 male students at a medical center who responded to advertisements requesting participation in a research project on learning and heart rate. The age range of the subjects was 22-28 years, and the mean age was 22.8 years. Three stimulus topic words were used in the present study. Two of these words were semantically equivalent. The independent variables were the three words that the subjects were instructed to discuss: neutral word condition, experimentally induced noxious word condition, and word semantically equivalent to the noxious word condition. The six dependent measures were percentage of part-word repetitions, percentage of interjections, heart-rate beats per minute, electromyographic microvolts per minute, galvanic skin response ohms conductance per minute, and self-report ratings of "state" anxiety. As predicted, heart rate and a self-report "state" anxiety measure achieved significance in a pattern corresponding to part-word repetitions. Two other measures of state anxiety (galvanic skin response and frontalis electromyographic activity) did not reach significance, although the results were in the predicted direction. The theory that "trait" anxiety accounts for susceptibility of fluency failure under emotional stress was not confirmed. The hypothesis offered here (that part-word repetitions generalize along a semantic dimension) received only tentative support. Discussion of the results centered around the demonstration in the present study of the need for multifaceted treatments tailored to the individual learning histories of specific stuttering behaviors, as well as molecular assessments of stuttering prior to treatment.