If you are an average speaker, you suck.
So do all of your colleagues with average presentation skills.
Let’s see why this is so…
Articles by Andrew Dlugan:
Your speaking ethos is critical to ensure that your audience is present, listening, and open to being persuaded by your ideas.
But, how do you maximize your ethos for a given speech and a given audience? Is ethos fixed before you open your mouth? Is there anything you can do during a speech that makes a difference?
This article shows you practical tactics you can employ to establish and increase your ethos.
Twice each month, Six Minutes weekend reviews bring you the best public speaking articles from throughout the public speaking blogosphere.
Please share them with anyone you feel would benefit from the tips and techniques.
This review features topics including:
- recently released public speaking books;
- storytelling and details;
- remedies for voice malfunctions;
- handling hecklers;
- thanking the audience;
- cartoons in presentations;
- rehearsal strategies;
- a speech critique of Sir Ken Robinson;
- and more!
Have you ever fainted in mid-sentence?
Have you ever shown up for a 1-hour seminar only to be told you had to give it eight times in a row?
Have you ever had your blouse pop open while speaking?
These were just a few of the confessions shared by Six Minutes readers in our contest to win a copy of Confessions of a Public Speaker by Scott Berkun.
Thank you to everyone who participated. The responses are collectively funny, surprising, and educational. A few of the most shocking confessions and the most valuable insights are featured below. Click here to read all of them back at the original contest article.
Is your audience listening even before you speak your first words?
Do they have high expectations?
Are they prepared to be convinced by what you have to say?
If not, you are suffering from poor ethos.
The first article in the Ethos, Pathos, and Logos series introduced these core concepts for speakers.
In this article, we define ethos, we look at ways that an audience measures your ethos, and we examine why it is so critical for a successful speech.
Last week, we reviewed Scott Berkun’s latest book, Confessions of a Public Speaker.
I asked Sara Peyton over at O’Reilly (the book publisher) for a few copies for Six Minutes readers, and she kindly agreed.
Now, you can win one of three copies by sharing your own public speaking confessions!
- What speaking lesson did you learn the hard way?
- What was your most embarrassing speaking experience?
- What secret speaking techniques do you use?
[Another reason to celebrate? This marks the 200th article at Six Minutes. Yippee!]
2300 years ago, Aristotle wrote down the secret to being a persuasive speaker, the secret which forms the basis for nearly every public speaking book written since then.
Do you know the secret?
If you don’t, you might be wondering what a 2300-year-old theory has to do with public speaking in the year 2010.
In a word — everything!
In this article, you’ll learn what ethos, pathos, and logos are (the secret!), and what every speaker needs to understand about these three pillars of public speaking.
Confessions of a Public Speaker is a highly entertaining and insightful insider’s view of public speaking, with value for speakers of all levels.
This article is the latest of a series of public speaking book reviews here on Six Minutes.
Six Minutes weekend reviews are back for a third year of bringing you the best public speaking articles from throughout the public speaking blogosphere.
This review features topics including:
- speechwriting lessons from Martin Luther King Jr.;
- structuring your presentation logically;
- becoming aware of your voice;
- benefits of a flip chart;
- mistakes with visuals;
- speaker habits;
- stages in a professional speaking career;
- and more!
Universal Principles of Design is a valuable resource for anyone who designs anything, including speeches and presentations
This article is the latest of a series of public speaking book reviews here on Six Minutes.
The Six Minutes reader survey results are in.
Thanks to everyone who was able to participate. Your feedback is valuable as it helps us plan Six Minutes articles for the future.
Based on the success of this survey, we plan to conduct more frequent surveys to formally solicit feedback from you.
Your informal feedback is welcome anytime. If you have questions or comments about anything on Six Minutes, please contact us.
Featured Articles
Speech Critiques
- Majora Carter (TED, 2006)
Energy, Passion, Speaking Rate - Hans Rosling (TED, 2006)
6 Techniques to Present Data - J.A. Gamache (Toastmasters, 2007)
Gestures, Prop, Writing - Steve Jobs (Stanford, 2005)
Figures of speech, rule of three - Al Gore (TED, 2006)
Humor, audience interaction - Dick Hardt (OSCON, 2005)
Lessig Method of Presentation
Recommended Books
- Title
- The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking
- Author
- Dale Carnegie
- What is it About
- Practical and plain public speaking advice. Covers a wide breadth of topics. This book contains the foundation for the Dale Carnegie speaking courses which have been completed by millions of people.
- Who Should Read It
- Novice speakers or anyone whose fear of speaking leads them to believe that they cannot excel as a speaker.
- Book Review
- Read the Six Minutes Review of this book
- Title
- Advanced Presentations by Design: Creating Communication that Drives Action
- Author
- Andrew Abela
- What is it About
- A comprehensive approach to planning and designing presentations focused on selling ideas and persuading your audience.
- Who Should Read It
- All presenters, particularly those who present in a business or scientific context. You will love this book if you like an interactive, workshop-style format.
- Book Review
- Read the Six Minutes Review of this book
- Title
- Better Beginnings: How to Capture Your Audience in 30 Seconds
- Author
- Carmen Taran
- What is it About
- One-of-a-kind! An engaging and thorough treatment for one of the most essential public speaking skills -- how to open your speech.
- Who Should Read It
- Every speaker will benefit from this book, whether you speak with visuals or off the cuff, to investors or children.
- Book Review
- Read the Six Minutes Review of this book
- Title
- Presentation Zen
- Author
- Garr Reynolds
- What is it About
- Bestseller which teaches presentation design. Emphasizes designing around the message rather than designing around the slides. Includes numerous full-color examples of slides, both good and bad.
- Who Should Read It
- Every speaker, particularly those who want to break free from the "Death by Powerpoint" mold.
- Book Review
- Read the Six Minutes Review of this book
- Title
- Clear and to The Point: 8 Psychological Principles for Compelling PowerPoint Presentations
- Author
- Stephen Kosslyn
- What is it About
- Well-written book full of practical tips and techniques that can be applied immediately to design your slides more effectively.
- Who Should Read It
- All speakers who want their visuals to complement and reinforce their message.
- Book Review
- Read the Six Minutes Review of this book
- Title
- Confessions of a Public Speaker
- Author
- Scott Berkun
- What is it About
- An irreverent insider's view of public speaking. You'll be both entertained and educated.
- Who Should Read It
- Any aspiring speaker who seeks honest insights about public speaking.
- Book Review
- Read the Six Minutes Review of this book
- Title
- slide:ology
- Author
- Nancy Duarte
- What is it About
- The book on effective visual presentations from the expert whose design firm created the graphics for Al Gore's Oscar-winning film, An Inconvenient Truth.
- Who Should Read It
- Everyone who wants a classic reference text for presentation design. You'll read this again and again.
- Book Review
- Read the Six Minutes Review of this book
- Title
- The Story Factor
- Author
- Annette Simmons
- What is it About
- Makes a strong case of the power of storytelling to influence and inspire, in both public speaking and business communications.
Discusses the different types of stories that every speaker must be able to tell. Weaves numerous stories through the book. - Who Should Read It
- (1) Anyone who is not yet convinced how powerful storytelling can be.
(2) Speakers looking to enhance their story repertoire. - Book Review
- Read the Six Minutes Review of this book
- Title
- The Wealthy Speaker: The Proven Formula for Building Your Successful Speaking Business
- Author
- Jane Atkinson
- What is it About
- An insider's view of professional speaking with loads of tips and insights for positioning yourself in the industry.
- Who Should Read It
- Established speakers ready to take the next step professionally and new speakers who are curious about the possibilities.
- Book Review
- Read the Six Minutes Review of this book
- Title
- Multimedia Learning
- Author
- Richard E. Mayer
- What is it About
- An academic review of cognitive research which provides guidelines for the design of visual presentation aids.
- Who Should Read It
- Teachers, trainers, instructors, and speaking coaches who want to understand the cognitive theory behind modern slide design.
- Book Review
- Read the Six Minutes Review of this book
- Title
- Universal Principles of Design
- Author
- William Lidwell, Kritina Holden, and Jill Butler
- What is it About
- Elegantly written and thought-provoking. Packed with creative ideas for improving your presentations. A classic reference!
- Who Should Read It
- Speakers who want to learn from related disciplines of design, psychology, and usability, and anyone fascinated to understand the world around them.
- Book Review
- Read the Six Minutes Review of this book
- Title
- Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln: 21 Powerful Secrets of History's Greatest Speakers
- Author
- James Humes
- What is it About
- 21 chapters averaging about 10 pages each. Each chapter introduces one simple speaking technique. Historical and contemporary examples are used throughout.
- Who Should Read It
- Speakers looking to elevate their speechwriting and delivery from good to great.
- Book Review
- Read the Six Minutes Review of this book
