Articles tagged: Martin Luther King Jr.

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Comments: 5
Blog link: 1

Resources for Speakers

Jan 16th, 2011

Tagged:

Barack Obama

Martin Luther King Jr.

Winston Churchill

public speaking books

Speeches that Changed the World

This afternoon, I watched Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have a Dream speech again. (You can find the full speech text and video, along with an extensive Six Minutes speech analysis here.)

I was reminded of the tremendous power speeches can wield. One cannot watch Dr. King or read his words without stirring emotions, even though the speech was given over 47 years ago.

Reader Response

Comments: 49
Blog links: 19

Speech Critiques

Jan 18th, 2009

Tagged:

Martin Luther King Jr.

Speech Analysis: I Have a Dream – Martin Luther King Jr.

“I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the most memorable speeches of all time.

It is worthy of lengthy study as we can all learn speechwriting skills from King’s historic masterpiece.

This article is the latest in a series of video speech critiques which help you analyze and learn from excellent speeches.

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Recommended Books

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

Book Review: Better Beginnings by Carmen Taran

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

The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking (Dale Carnegie): Book Review

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

Book Review: Advanced Presentations by Design by Andrew Abela

Title: The Story Factor: Inspiration, Influence, and Persuasion Through the Art of Storytelling
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

Book Review: The Story Factor (Annette Simmons)

Title: Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery
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: slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations
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

Presentation Skills Book Review – slide:ology by Nancy Duarte

Title: Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
Author: Chip Heath and Dan Heath
What is it About: Best-selling business book delivers on its promise to show how to communicate your ideas so that they will be remembered.
Who Should Read It: All speakers with a message that they want the audience to remember. In short, everyone.
Book Review: Read the Six Minutes Review of this book

Title: Boring to Bravo
Author: Kristin Arnold
What is it About: Non-stop gems for engaging your audience and keeping your presentations alive.
Who Should Read It: Speakers, trainers, facilitators, coaches, and managers.
Book Review: Read the Six Minutes Review of this book

Book Review: Boring to Bravo (Kristin Arnold)

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

Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln: Book Review

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

Book Review: Confessions of a Public Speaker (Scott Berkun)

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

PowerPoint Book Review – Clear and to The Point: 8 Psychological Principles for Compelling PowerPoint Presentations

Title: Thank You For Arguing
Author: Jay Heinrichs
What is it About: Reveals a collection of time-tested tools which will make you a better speechwriter and a better speaker.
Who Should Read It: All speakers will benefit from understanding the simple, yet not-so-obvious techniques for persuasion and persuasive speechwriting.
Book Review: Read the Six Minutes Review of this book

Book Review: Thank You For Arguing (Jay Heinrichs)

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

Book Review: Universal Principles of Design

Title: Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures
Author: Dan Roam
What is it About: Insightful and essential lessons for all communicators. Everyone can benefit by improving their visual thinking skills with the help of this book.
Who Should Read It: Smart people who want to improve their visual thinking skills.
Book Review: Read the Six Minutes Review of this book

Book Review: The Back of the Napkin – Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures (Dan Roam)

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

Book Review: The Wealthy Speaker by Jane Atkinson

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

Book Review: Multimedia Learning by Richard E. Mayer

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