Steven Lucas

Steven E. Lucas, the author of The Art of Public Speaking, is Professor of Communications Arts and Evjue-Bascom Professor in the Humanities Department at the University of Wisconsin. Lucas wrote the first edition of The Art of Public Speaking in the 1970s. He has been surprised over the years by the continued demand for his book. Lucas has been the director of the University’s introductory speaking course since 1973.

One probable reason for the book's popularity among teachers and students is that Lucas has continually updated the text. He has addressed the Internet era which has completely changed the way students conduct research. He has also addressed changing demographics that require speakers to make careful decisions on the make-up of their audience. Religions that were previously obscure are now well known around the world. Women are being treated as equals in their careers and in basic...