A Short Guide to Effective Public Speaking


Delivering an effective presentation to 20 or to 200 people is difficult. Because listeners have better access to information since the internet became commonplace, audiences expect more content from speakers today. In addition, because of the entertainment slant of most media today, audiences want a presentation delivered with animation, humour, and pizzazz.

If you would rather spend your time preparing your content than reading a book on public speaking, this is an article especially for you! From my experiences in delivering over l500 speeches during the past 20 years, here is a quick guide to giving an effective and interesting presentation your very first time.

Read more in Pivotal Magazine

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Books into Movies – Tomorrow when the war began

Tomorrow, When the War Began (The Tomorrow Series #1)
by John Marsden

Australian teenager Ellie and six of her friends return from a winter break camping trip to find their homes burned or deserted, their families imprisoned, and their country occupied by a foreign military force in league with a band of disaffected Australians. As their shock wears off, the seven decide they must stick together if they are to survive. After a life-threatening skirmish with the occupiers, the teens retreat to their isolated campsite in the bush country and make plans to fight a guerilla war against the invaders. Writing in a distinct voice and showing rare intelligence and sensitivity, Ellie recounts their courageous battles against the Goliath in control of their land. She also records her feelings and observations about the romantic partnerships that develop within her small circle of friends, and shows how they mature and blossom during this time of crisis. Though readers are left wondering whether these heroes and heroines will survive (one is severely wounded at the end of the novel), Ellie's uncommonly honest and clear narration makes this coming-of-age adventure a story they won't forget. Fast-paced and provocative, it's a natural for book talking.
Jack Forman, Mesa College Library, San Diego
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A gripping tale, told with Marsden's customary incisiveness.

The movie is due for release on September 2nd 2010

Teaching with Tomorrow when the war began
Introducing and teaching Tomorrow, When The War
Year 10 Context study: Close study of a novel and its author
Tomorrow When the War Began Booktalk
2007 Student Essays Tomorrow, When the War Began

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"Action makes more fortune than caution."

Luc De Clapiers
1715-1747, Essayist

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Tip: Natural gestures

Natural gestures are basically the aim for any public speaker.

If you are not a natural gesturer, it may be that with enough practice, you can develp gestures.

Nevertheless if you speak with passion - for your subject and for your audience's outcomes - your body will support your message.  Even if you make no gestures, your stance, your facial expressions and your eye contact, will work powerfully to support that passion and your message.

It is necessary, however, to be aware if you are repeating the same gesture many times.  It may add emphasis the first time, but after that it will distract.  Watch television journalists and sooner or later you will notice this.

Be aware of your gestures, when you practise your speaking, until you are comfortable that they are natural, and not distracting, and then forget about them.  Work instead on your message, your enthusiasm and the outcomes you want.

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"We cannot achieve more in life than what we believe in our heart of hearts we deserve to have."

-- James R. Ball

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Are you stuck in the destructive habit of procrastination & indecision?

Do you feel like you are "spinning your wheels" and no matter what you do you just can't get yourself to move forward and "just do it.

If procrastination and indecision is what stands between your dreams
and their realization, then these easy strategies can help you to
"flip the switch" in your mind.

http://www.consultpivotal.com/Ainaction.htm

Does corporate leadership equate to political leadership?

Can a country be run in a similar way to running a business?  Does corporate leadership equate to political leadership?  It would be possible to find examples in support of both these questions and as much evidence to counter them but the contextual difference is important to note when considering leadership in general.

Read more ...

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Today's quote about public speaking

Publius Terentius Afer said:  "In fact, nothing is said that has not been said before."

Hmmm.  Have we learnt nothing new to communicate?

Or is communication more about what is of relevance in the new things we learn?  I would like to think that we are continually learning new things as a species.

And yet our basic conditions of existence and operation tend to remain the same.  And yes, we tend to say the same things about them.  The successful public speaker is the one who can put a new spotlight on things, find new words ...  and ways of saying .... those old things so that we are reminded of them, how they operate, and how we can look at them in a better light... and use them to be better at this existence and this operation.

So, Publius Terentius Afer, I would like to think that you are wrong in some ways.  But thank you for the reminder that our creativity is just so vital if we are to create new speeches and presentations.

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What's inside?

From The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle

A beggar had been sitting by the side of the road for thirty years.

One day a stranger walked by.

"Spare some change?" mumbled the beggar.

"Nothing, " replied the beggar. "Just an old box. I've been sitting on it for as long as I can remember.

"Ever look inside?," asked the stranger.

"No," said the beggar. "What's the point, there's nothing in there."

"Have a look inside," insisted the stranger. The beggar, reluctantly, managed to pry open the lid.  With astonishment, disbelief, and elation, he saw that the box was filled with gold.

I am that stranger who has nothing to give you and who is telling you to look inside. Not inside any box, as in the parable, but somewhere even closer: inside yourself.

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Thought for the Day

"May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds."

Edward Abbey

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Give your audience something to flip over

Give Participants Something to Flip Over

Let me start off by saying that I do NOT like toys or other distractions in training. I’m NOT one to provide little widgets to keep participants’ hands occupied or provide cutesy pens or such trinkets. I’ve always viewed them as distractions that shouldn’t be necessary if your training is engaging and relevant. I recently “discovered” a technique that simultaneously:

  • Provides motivational, upbeat phrases for participants
  • Reinforces key concepts
  • Ensures that everyone is paying attention and following along
  • Allows the instructor to tell whether each participant grasps the concept

http://bit.ly/9qWIw5