Amplification is the set of rhetorical techniques by which a discourse is elaborated and extended to enhance its appeal and information value. Even in the manual, long considered the most laconic of the genres of technical communication, amplification has its place. Drawing on the theory of classical and modern rhetoric, this article shows how amplification tends to increase and improve the coverage, rationale, warnings, behavioral alternatives, examples, previews, reviews, and general emphasis of technical manuals.

The authors offer a few simple and effective suggestions that may help a speaker overcome problems of public speaking. These include rehearsing moderately, storing and retrieving main points and supporting points in the order they are planned, talking to a test audience, speaking clearly, maintaining correct posture, nonequivocation, talking rather than reading verbatim, and retaining control.