本教材分为英语演讲和英语辩论两部分。英语演讲部分采用知识和实践相结合的方式，配以英语演讲实例，系统介绍演讲的类型、关键要素和步骤、听众分析等方面的内容。为拓展学生的跨文化视野、增强学生对自身文化的认识和信心，第二版增加了中国人和其他国家公众人物的演讲和辩论案例，取材范围涉及古今中外的政治家、科学家、企业家和社会活动家等。
英语辩论部分采用的辩论形式模仿英国议会制辩论，注重政策辩论，充满思辨乐趣。本部分内容旨在将英语口语训练融入思辨能力和研究能力的培养，鼓励学生在掌握相关辩论知识和要求的基础上，在教师的指导下参与辩论实践，认真收集辩论素材，辨别事物、事件的情况，辨析观点、论断的逻辑，在享受思辨乐趣的同时，逐渐提升严谨的思维与研究能力。

Chapter I Definition and Types of Public Speaking
Warm-up Activities
1.1 Definition of Public Speaking
1.2 Elements of Public Speaking
1.2.1 Speaker
1.2.2 Message
1.2.3 Listener
1.2.4 Feedback
1.2.5 Channel
1.2.6 Environment
1.2.7 Noise
1.3 Types of Public Speaking
1.3.1 Informative Speeches
1.3.2 Types of Persuasive Speeches
Exercises
1.Review Questions
2.Speech Appreciation
On the Discovery of Radium—Marie Curie
Never Give Up the Pursuit of Learning Hu Shih, Translator: Zhang Peiji（张培基）
不要抛弃学问——胡适
3.Group Work
4.Suggested Activities
Chapter 2 Preparing a Speech
Warm-up Activities
2.1 Selecting a Topic
2.1.1 Brainstorming
2.1.2 Clustering
2.1.3 Research
2.2 Narrowing Down to One Topic
2.2.1 Asking Guideline Questions
2.2.2 Creating Diagrams
2.3 Analyzing Your Audience
2.4 Gathering Materials
2.4.1 Gathering Materials from Yourself
2.4.2 Doing Library Research
2.4.3 Searching the Internet
Exercises
1.Review Questions
2.Group Work Step 4
3.Speech Appreciation
"Work Together to Build a Community of Shared Future for Mankind," given by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the United Nations Office at Geneva in 2017
4.Suggested Activities
Chapter 3 Outlining a Speech
Warm-up Activities
3.1 Identifying Your Purpose and Central Idea
3.2 Using a Consistent Outline Form
……
Chapter 4 Beginning and Ending a Speech
Chapter 5 Developing the Body
Chapter 6 Presenting a Speech
Chapter 7 Fundamentals of Debate
Chapter 8 Constructing a Propositional Case
Chapter 9 Constructing an Oppositional Case
Chapter 10 Refutation and Point of Information
Chapter 11 Extending the Argument
Chapter 12 Making Summaries in Debate
Answers to the Exercises