Tag Archives: humor

Quotes for Public Speakers (No. 279) – Dave Barry

Posted on 27/02/2018 by

“All of us are born with a set of instinctive fears—of falling, of the dark, of lobsters, of falling on lobsters in the dark, of speaking before a Rotary Club, and of the words ‘Some Assembly Required’.” — Dave Barry Photo … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour, Quotes for Public Speakers | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The benefits of humour and 10 tips for using it in a speech

Posted on 03/01/2018 by

I am one of the co-founders of Presentation Guru, a digital magazine for public speaking professionals. This post is part of a series designed to share the great content on Presentation Guru with the Manner of Speaking community. ——— French author Victor Hugo said, “Laughter … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour, Presentation Guru | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Quotes for Public Speakers (No. 227) – Boris Johnson

Posted on 13/03/2016 by

“My speaking style was criticised by no less an authority than Arnold Schwarzenegger. It was a low moment, my friends, to have my rhetorical skills denounced by a monosyllabic Austrian cyborg.” — Boris Johnson

Posted in Humour, Quotes for Public Speakers | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Quotes for Public Speakers (No. 195) – Georges Wolinski

Posted on 07/01/2015 by

“L’humour est le plus court chemin d’un homme à un autre.” (“Humour is the shortest road from one person to another.”) — Georges Wolinski

Posted in Quotes for Public Speakers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Five Speaking Lessons from TEDx Place des Nations

Posted on 13/12/2014 by

Earlier this year, I had the privilege of speaking at TEDx Lausanne. It was a wonderful experience. Two days ago, I had the privilege of attending TEDx Place des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. It was held in the impressive Assembly Hall of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Analysis of a Speech, TED | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Quotes for Public Speakers (No. 131) – John Cleese

Posted on 14/05/2012 by

“If I can get you to laugh with me, you like me better, which makes you more open to my ideas. And if I can persuade you to laugh at the particular point I make, by laughing at it, you … Continue reading →

Posted in Quotes for Public Speakers | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Using Humour When Speaking to a Foreign Audience

Posted on 18/04/2012 by

My last post about delivering a speech or presentation via an interpreter has generated a lot of discussion. One of the tips that I mentioned in that post was the importance of using humour carefully when addressing an audience of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Every Presentation Ever?

Posted on 12/01/2012 by

Here’s a clever video that rings true on many levels. And, as is so often the case with humour, there are lessons to be learned. See how many you can spot. Enjoy! For some great insights into what we can … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

Quotes for Public Speakers (No. 109) – Mark Twain

Posted on 07/12/2011 by

“A successful book is not made of what is in it, but what is left out of it.” — Mark Twain

Posted in Quotes for Public Speakers | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Rhetorical Devices: Paraprosdokian

Posted on 09/10/2011 by

This post is part of a series on rhetoric and rhetorical devices. For other posts in the series, please click this link. Device: Paraprosdokian Origin: From the Greek παρά (para), meaning “beyond” and προσδοκία (prosthokhia), meaning “expectation”; thus, “beyond expectation”. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Rhetoric | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Quotes for Public Speakers (No. 102)

Posted on 03/10/2011 by

“English is the perfect language for preachers because it allows you to talk until you think of what to say.” — Garrison Keillor Photo courtesy of Prairie Home Productions

Posted in Quotes for Public Speakers | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nothing Like a Pint of Guinness!

Posted on 26/06/2011 by

Something on the light side today. A few days ago, I published a post analyzing Conan O’Brien’s terrific commencement address at Dartmouth College. Today I came across a clip from Conan’s TV show in which he poked a little fun at … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment