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Learn from photojournalists — tell stories with visuals, and your audience will love you.
Monthly Archive for April, 2008
When you speak, does your audience get it?
If your audience doesn’t grasp your message (even though your topic is one you know they are interested in), you need to rethink the way you present it. You need to organize your ideas to promote understanding.
The second Toastmasters speech project addresses organizing your speech. This article of the Toastmasters Speech Series examines the primary goals of this project, provides tips and techniques, and links to numerous sample speeches.
Every Saturday, we survey the best public speaking articles from throughout the public speaking blogosphere.
Topics featured this week include:
- the launch of a Toastmasters article series;
- media training;
- slide design;
- speaking cliches; and
- insight into speaking fees of professional speakers.
Ice breaker (or Icebreaker) is a term which describes an activity which reduces tension and anxiety in a group.
Thus, it is fitting that the first Toastmaster speech project is titled The Ice Breaker.
This article of the Toastmasters Speech Series examines the primary goals of this project, provides tips and techniques, and links to numerous sample speeches.
This is the first article of the Toastmasters Speech Series — a collection of articles which examines the fundamentals of public speaking.
Not familiar with Toastmasters? Find out here.
For Toastmasters and non-Toastmasters alike, these articles show how you can graduate from speaking fear to inspiring your audience.
The format for the series will be one article for each of the ten speeches which comprise the introductory Toastmasters manual — the Competent Communicator Manual.
When scheduled to speak, you may be tempted to review your notes or slides right up to the last minute. Last minute cramming like this is rarely of any value. Instead, this article explains three much more important things you should be doing to prepare.
Continue Reading »
Every Saturday, we survey the best public speaking articles from throughout the public speaking blogosphere.
Topics featured this week include:
- how to use a microphone;
- several audio articles;
- expert emcee advice;
- questions to/from the audience; and
- using metaphors in your speech.
Every Saturday, we survey the best public speaking articles from throughout the public speaking blogosphere.
Topics featured this week include:
- the connection between presentation skills and career advancement;
- speech openings and transitions;
- speechwriting and preparation techniques; and
- three articles related to Al Gore.
Regardless of industry or job title, all companies seek employees with superior communication skills.
Reading comprehension and writing skills are taught heavily in school. You and your peers may not be equally skilled, but the differences are relatively minor.
Presentation skills, on the other hand, are largely neglected in schools, and few people put effort into developing them. Thus, presentation skills are a primary differentiator among you and your peers. Master your presentation skills, and become the master of your career options.
This article highlights 10 ways your career will improve if you have superior presentation skills. Continue Reading »
Every Saturday, we survey the best public speaking articles from throughout the public speaking blogosphere.
Topics featured this week include:
- A timeless lecture from Randy Pausch;
- anticipating problems;
- diffusing speaking fear;
- Toastmasters contests; and
- 7 new public speaking blogs.
Randy Pausch delivers a lesson laden lecture — Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams — which will have you laughing, crying, and cherishing life.
The “elephant in the room” — Pausch’s diagnosis of terminal pancreatic cancer — serves as an emotional backdrop for this memorable lecture.
In addition to illuminating many of life’s important lessons, Randy Pausch’s last lecture also provides five lessons which can help you connect with your audience.
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
Books We Recommend
- Title
- Multimedia Learning
- 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 our book review
- Title
- slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations
- 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 our book review
- Title
- Confessions of a Public Speaker
- 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 our book review
- Title
- Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln: 21 Powerful Secrets of History's Greatest Speakers
- 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 our book review
- Title
- Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences
- What is it About
- Deliciously beautiful writing and visuals. Superb treatment of audience analysis, message formation, and storytelling.
- Who Should Read It
- Every speaker should read this book... twice!
- Book Review
- Read our book review
- Title
- Universal Principles of Design
- 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 our book review
- Title
- The Wealthy Speaker: The Proven Formula for Building Your Successful Speaking Business
- 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 our book review
- Title
- Presentation Patterns: Techniques for Crafting Better Presentations
- What is it About
- Covers presentation design and delivery with a focus on slide design. Organized according to patterns (i.e. building blocks), both positive and negative, which confront speakers.
- Who Should Read It
- All speakers will learn, but the pattern format will resonate particularly for technical speakers.
- Book Review
- Read our book review
- Title
- The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking
- 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 our book review
- Title
- The Naked Presenter: Delivering Powerful Presentations With or Without Slides
- What is it About
- Packed with excellent advice, particularly on delivery skills and audience-centered presenting.
- Who Should Read It
- Everyone who wants to present more naturally and more effectively.
- Book Review
- Read our book review
- Title
- Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures
- 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 our book review
- Title
- Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
- 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 our book review
- Title
- Boring to Bravo: Proven Presentation Techniques to Engage, Involve, and Inspire Your Audience to Action
- 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 our book review
- Title
- Advanced Presentations by Design: Creating Communication that Drives Action
- 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 our book review
- Title
- Thank You For Arguing
- 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 our book review
- Title
- Clear and to The Point: 8 Psychological Principles for Compelling PowerPoint Presentations
- 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 our book review
- Title
- Telling Ain't Training
- What is it About
- Fantastic resource for trainers with a wealth of theoretical and practical advice. Published by the American Society for Training and Development, this is a best-seller among training professionals.
- Who Should Read It
- Everyone who trains, educates, or instructs.
- Book Review
- Read our book review
- Title
- Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery
- 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 our book review
- Title
- The Story Factor: Inspiration, Influence, and Persuasion Through the Art of Storytelling
- 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 our book review
- Title
- Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer
- What is it About
- Best book I've ever read about writing. Applicable to all genres: speech writing, fiction, non-fiction.
- Who Should Read It
- Everyone who writes, whether speeches, novels, or articles.
- Book Review
- Read our book review
- Title
- Lend Me Your Ears: Great Speeches in History
- What is it About
- Definitive speech compendium covering 233 speeches spanning the period between ancient Rome and the present-day.
- Who Should Read It
- Every speaker who wants to connect with great speeches from history.
- Book Review
- Read our book review
- Title
- 101 Ways to Make Training Active
- What is it About
- Compendium of activities and strategies that trainers, presenters, and discussion leaders can use to improve audience engagement.
- Who Should Read It
- All trainers -- from those with decades of experience to novices who are creating a training course for their company or organization for the first time.
- Book Review
- Read our book review
