New Logo for Manner of Speaking
Manner of Speaking has a new logo. For a website devoted to public speaking and presentation skills, there were many designs I could have chosen. A microphone or lectern or speech bubble were some of the obvious ones. But I didn’t want obvious; I wanted something that reflected my approach to public speaking. Here it […]
Rhetorical Devices: Antanagoge
This post is part of a series on rhetorical devices. For other posts in the series, please click this link. For a comprehensive, step-by-step overview of how to write a speech outline, please see this post. Device: Antanagoge (pronounced an-tana-goji) Origin: From the Greek ἀνταναγωγή meaning “anti” (against) and “anagoge” (leading up). In plain English: Turning a negative into a positive. […]
Quotes for Public Speakers (No. 333) – Barack Obama
“It’s important to make sure that we’re talking with each other in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds.” Barack Obama
Every Breath You Take
Every breath you take,Every move you make,Every bond you break,Every step you take,I’ll be watching you. The Police Breathing. We do it constantly and, usually, unconsciously. We breathe when we are awake and when we sleep, when we work and exercise and rest. The day we stop breathing is the day we stop living. Yet […]
Quotes for Public Speakers (No. 332) – Stephanie Hughes
The importance of being 100% in the moment when delivering a speech or presentation cannot be stressed enough. As Stephanie Hughes says, “I don’t want to be anywhere else, talking to anyone else, about anything else.”
Humour in a speech: 5 reasons you need it; 10 tips for using it
Using humour is a great way for speakers to connect with their audiences. Victor Hugo said, “Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.” When you speak to an audience of dozens, hundreds or thousands, the effect is multiplied. THE BENEFITS OF HUMOUR When used properly, humour is a powerful tool in […]
Quotes for Public Speakers (No. 331) – Peter Drucker
The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn’t being said. Words of wisdom from business great, Peter Drucker.
Quotes for Public Speakers (No. 330) – David Gerrold
“The single most important lesson of effective communication is this: Focus on clarity. Concentrate on precisions. Don’t worry about constructing beautiful sentences. Beauty comes from meaning, not language. Accuracy is the most effective style of all.” – David Gerrold Photo courtesy of Kyle Nishioka
“Defund the Police” – A good idea but a terrible slogan
In the wake of the murder of George Floyd, there has been a powerful backlash against racism and police brutality. I hope it finally leads to permanent, meaningful change. But one of the main slogans of the movement – “Defund the Police” – is terrible and counterproductive. First, let’s be clear. The murder of George […]
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