Quotes for Public Speakers (No. 54) – Keith Hancock

“Oratory is dying; a calculating age has stabbed it to the heart with innumerable dagger-thrusts of statistics.” Keith Hancock
Analysis of a Speech by Phil Davison

The video below has been spreading like wildfire on the Internet. It is a short speech by Phil Davison, a Republican candidate for the position of Treasurer in Stark County, Ohio. Davison’s speech, which was given to about 100 people, is, to say the least, memorable. In his blog, my friend Max Atkinson states that in over […]
Quotes for Public Speakers (No. 53) – Oliver Goldsmith

“Of all kinds of success, that of an orator is the most pleasing.” Oliver Goldsmith
A Public Speaking Alphabet

Audience alphabet Fitting that it comes first. The most important part of any speech. A speech is for the audience and about the audience. Always. alphabet Books alphabet There are so many resources available these days for public speakers. Invest a small amount of money in yourself and pick some up. Here are three of […]
Quotes for Public Speakers (No. 52) – William Shakespeare

Cassius: “Did Cicero say any thing?” Casca: “Ay, he spoke Greek.” Cassius: “To what effect?” Casca: “Nay, an I tell you that, I’ll ne’er look you i’ the face again. But those that understood him smiled at one another, and shook their heads. But for mine own part, it was Greek to me.” William Shakespeare […]
The Empire Strikes Back

United States Army Colonel kicked out of Afghanistan for criticizing PowerPoint.
Two Slides You Can Lose

Thank you? No thanks. Much has been written (in this blog and elsewhere) on ways to improve the quality of slide presentations by, for example, reducing the number of words on a slide, using good visuals, going easy on the bullet points, turning the screen black from time to time, etc. Today, I want to […]
Quotes for Public Speakers (No. 51) – François de la Rochefoucauld

“Eloquence lies as much in the tone of the voice, in the eyes, and in the speaker’s manner, as in his choice of words.” François de la Rochefoucauld
"The Few"

Last week marked the 70th anniversary of one of the most famous speeches in modern history. On 20 August 1940, Winston Churchill addressed the British House of Commons and delivered his epic speech to honour “The Few” — the Allied airmen of the British Royal Air Force (RAF) who fought the Battle of Britain. At […]
Tagged Battle of BritainLuftwaffeNazi GermanyNever was so much owed by so many to so fewRoyal Air ForceWinston ChurchillWorld War II











