Public Speaking: The Virtual Text - Supporting your Ideas Stone Watt

chapter 7

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about the author

Sarah Stone Watt, Ph.D.

current city:

hometown:

Newbury Park, CA

Upland, CA

college:

California State University University of Wyoming Pennsylvania State University

favorite quotation:

"I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see." John Burroughs

activities/interests:

travelling, time with family, swimming, CrossFit, home improvement, debate

favorite TV show:

The Closer

why did you study communication?

Initially, I switched from political science to communication, because I earned credit in the communication major for my participation on the speech and debate team. Then I learned that I loved studying rhetoric and social movements. I am fascinated by the many ways that persuasion functions to change the beliefs and actions of entire groups of people.

why is your chapter important?

We all have opinions, but we have to know how to support those opinions with evidence. As we spend less time in libraries and more time on blogs and social networking, it is easy to focus only on those who agree with our point of view. We have to learn how to use both the library and and the internet to take multiple perspectives into account and engage the best evidence on all sides of an argument.

where is the most amazing travel destination you have ever been, and why?

Moorea is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. The people were friendly and excited to show us around the island. One minute we were swimming with sharks and sting rays, and the next we were having a conversation about the effects of colonialism in French Polynesia. We learned a lot from the locals not only about the island and their culture, but also about how to relax and pay attention to the things that truly matter.

name a turning point in your life that makes you smile.

The birth of my daughter. She makes me smile every day.

if you were the eighth dwarf, what would your name be?

Busy

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