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!

Public Speaking Blogs: The Definitive List

Ethos, Pathos, Logos: 3 Pillars of Public Speaking

How to Use the Rule of Three in Your Speeches

5 Speechwriting Lessons from Obama’s Inaugural Speech

How to Improve Your PowerPoint Slides with the Rule of Thirds

Speech Analysis #1: How to Study and Critique a Speech

Toastmasters Speech Series: Your Guide to the First 10 Speeches

The 25 Public Speaking Skills Every Speaker Must Have

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 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

Book Review: The Story Factor (Annette Simmons)

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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

Presentation Skills Book Review – slide:ology by Nancy Duarte

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: 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 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: 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: 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

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: 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: 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

Speechwriting How to Axe Your Presentation… and Still Deliver Value 17 Easy Ways to Be a More Persuasive Speaker What is Logos and Why is it Critical for Speakers? [view all...]	Public Speaking Book Reviews Boring to Bravo Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures Thank You For Arguing [view all...]	Public Speaking Weekend Reviews 2010-08-27 2010-08-14 2010-07-31 [view all...]
Delivery Techniques Speak Up! A Guide to Voice Projection 18 Paths to Pathos: How to Connect with Your Audience Book Review: Confessions of a Public Speaker (Scott Berkun) [view all...]	Speech Critiques Speech Critique: Jacqueline Novogratz (TED 2009) 5 Speechwriting Lessons from Obama’s Inaugural Speech Speech Analysis: I Have a Dream – Martin Luther King Jr. [view all...]	Resources for Speakers Professional Speaker Associations 27 Hot Summer Reads for Speakers Which College Textbook for Public Speaking is Best? [view all...]
Visual Aids The 10-20-30 Rule: Guy Kawasaki on PowerPoint Book Review: The Back of the Napkin – Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures (Dan Roam) Book Review: Universal Principles of Design [view all...]	Interviews Interview with Kristin Arnold, National Speakers Association President What Does Your Personal Brand Say About You as a Speaker? Interview with LaShunda Rundles: 2008 World Champion of Public Speaking [view all...]	Speaker Habits Ready, Set, Go! Nail Your Pre-Speech Ritual 8 Key Points for Perfect Presentation Practice The Only Thing to Do When Disaster Strikes Your Speech [view all...]

Articles tagged: public speaking blogs

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