Monthly Archive for June, 2010

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Six Minutes weekend reviews bring the best public speaking articles to you.

This review features topics including:

• summer book recommendations;
• adding meaning to statistics;
• speechwriting strategies;
• handling hecklers;
• slide color choices;
• apologizing to your audience;
• introduction etiquette;
• and more!

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The barbecues are ready. The vacations are planned. The schools are squeezing students out.

Summer has arrived.

Lazy summer days and relaxing summer evenings provide some of the best conditions for enjoying a good book, whether educational or frivolous.

What will you be reading? Will a speaking book or two slide into your plans? If you are looking for a great summer read, consider the books below.

In this article, we list the most popular public speaking books being read by the Six Minutes community — people just like you with an avid interest in speaking effectively.

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Thomas Carlyle once observed:

Music is well said to be the speech of angels.

You can make your speechwriting sing by learning lessons from songwriters. By applying these eight songwriting techniques, you will get your audiences to virtually tap their feet, nod their heads, and even hum along to your message.

1. Triad
2. Refrain
3. Cadence
4. Harmony
5. Rhythm
6. Rhyme
7. Echo
8. Sound Effects

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Six Minutes weekend reviews bring the best public speaking articles to you.

This review features topics including:

• new public speaking books;
• speech critiques of Meryl Streep, Steve Jobs, and Jacqueline Novogratz;
• tips for speaking to large crowds;
• PowerPoint rules;
• keys to being a passionate speaker;
• and much more.

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You’ve just been asked to give a project update to your colleagues at next week’s lunch-hour seminar.

Quick…
How many slides will you use?
How much text can you put on them?
How long should you speak — the whole hour, or less?

Don’t know? Guy Kawasaki, a famous author and venture capitalist, has the answers and they may surprise you.

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This article reviews a wonderful speech by Jacqueline Novogratz about escaping poverty, which was delivered at TED in 2009.

In this speech, Novogratz demonstrates several strong speech techniques, including:

• A direct opening which immediately captures interest and provokes curiosity;
• Contrast as a rhetorical device;
• Relating to the audience;
• Complementary visuals; and
• Masterful delivery.

This is the latest in a series of speech critiques here on Six Minutes.

I encourage you to:

1. Watch the video;
2. Read the analysis in this speech critique; and
3. Share your thoughts on this presentation in the comment section.

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Six Minutes weekend reviews bring the best public speaking articles to you.

This review features topics including:

• the rule of three;
• using sticky notes to organize your presentation;
• how to title your speech to grab your audience;
• storytelling advice;
• what to look for when looking at yourself on video;
• time management;
• audience analysis;
• and much more!

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The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures is a wonderful book packed with insights for translating ideas into visuals. It’s not a surprise to me that this book was listed in the Top 10 Business Books list for 2008.

Being a great speaker requires more than simply adopting the “more visuals, less bullet points” approach. You need to have effective visuals. The Back of the Napkin helps you figure out how by boosting your visual thinking skills.

This article is the latest of a series of public speaking book reviews here on Six Minutes.

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