The Public Speaking course was developed through the Ohio Department of Higher Education OER Innovation Grant. This work was completed and the course was posted in September 2019. The course is part of the Ohio Transfer Assurance Guides and is also named OCM013. For more information about credit transfer between Ohio colleges and universities, please visit: www.ohiohighered.org/transfer.Team LeadJessica Papajcik                                Stark State College   Content ContributorsJames Jarc                                        Central Ohio Technical CollegeJanny Nauman                                  North Central State CollegeCarrie Tomko                                     University of Akron LibrarianAllen Reichert                                   Otterbein UniversityReview TeamLaura Garcia                                     Washington State Community CollegeJasmine Roberts                               Ohio State University

The oral tradition is one of the oldest known to humankind.  We learned to talk as small children.  Much like walking, we tend to just do it and not think about how we do it.  We use language daily to express feelings, achieve our goals, and to share information.  This section explores the important role “oral language,” or verbal communication, plays in that process.  How do we create meaning?  How does written language differ from oral language?  How can we use language effectively?  How do we make our language appropriate, vivid, inclusive and familiar to our audience?  Finally, this chapter explores the six elements of language:  clarity, economy, obscenity, obscurity, power and variety.  Do not just talk, make your words count!