Public Speaking Blogosphere: Week in Review [2008-02-09]

Another Saturday, and another review of the best public speaking articles from throughout the public speaking blogosphere.

Just a few of the topics featured this week are:

• practicing;
• nervousness;
• humor; and
• Toastmasters.

[Before we begin, did you catch last week’s review?]

Week in Review: Six Minutes

It was a very quiet week here at the Six Minutes blog. I was knocked right out of my blogging habits by a fever and laryngitis. It’s never fun being sick, but a speaker losing his voice is just torture!

So, this weekly review is the only article published this week. I’m working on some great articles for the next few weeks…

Week in Review: Public Speaking Blogosphere

These are the best public speaking articles I read in the past week.

• Darren Fleming describes the “push and pull” method for persuasive speaking.

You can use the Push and Pull to deliver your benefits in different ways:
The Push – The air-conditioner is great because you can travel in comfort.
The Pull – The air-conditioner is great because you don’t want to be hot and sticky when you arrive at your destination.

• John Watkis draws connections between historical speeches and more contemporary counterparts.

King Solomon has been quoted as saying “there is no new thing under the sun“. When it comes to great speeches, his quote is bang on.

• Susan Trivers addresses the issue of practicing.

People also tell me they’re better when they wing it. They say they have more energy and passion when they’re not practiced. Simply put–baloney!

• Rhett Laubach argues that mastery over content will improve your authenticity.

Knowing what you are talking about is the number one way to control your nervousness.

• Gavin Meikle suggests that nervousness can be neutralized by focusing on the audience.

When you start paying attention to them, you stop paying attention to yourself and the nerves start to dissipate.

• Dave Paradi crunches the numbers to determine the minimum font size to use with PowerPoint.
• Craig Senior examines the popular advice: “Just be yourself!” from several thought-provoking perspectives.
• Lou Hampton points out four warning signs which speakers should deal with before every speech.
• Paul Gibler announced an update to his presentation techniques resource list.
• Pete Ryckman considers the magnetic pull of a strong title.

Humor Articles

A trio of humor articles from (or featuring) John Kinde

• John Kinde examines humor used by American politicians through an array of anecdotes.
• John also draws humorous parallels between Super Bowl commercials and public speaking.
• To complete the trio, Eric Feng interviews John Kinde who provides numerous insights on the topic of observational humour.

Toastmasters Blog Articles

• Yow Kia points us to contest speech tips from J.A. Gamache. One of J.A.’s contest-winning speeches has been analyzed on this blog.
• John Spaith argues that winning speeches need humor.
• Wayne Botha offers a unique comparison between a Toastmasters meeting and hunter looking out over a field.
• Okay, this isn’t exactly public speaking news, but it is news. Two of the bloggers on the public speaking blogs list are getting married: former World Champion of Public Speaking Jim Key and former District 50 Governor Angie Flinn. Congratulations! Both Jim and Angie wrote about the news.

Another Weekly Review Comes to a Close…

Finally, I’d like to end by relaying a worthwhile challenge from Ian Griffin:

When planning your next speech, strategic plan or business venture, aim to capture the essence of what you want to say in six words or less.

It works for blog articles too: (1) Public (2) Speaking (3) Blogosphere (4) Week (5) in (6) Review.