Comments on: Lessons from 50+ books on public speaking

By: DR

DR — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:10:38 +0000

Have you read “Zen and the Art of motorcycle maintenance” by Robert M. Pirsig? He doesn’t write about public speaking, but he explains very well why rhetoric is so boring, and what is the cure for it. Btw. his advice on composition of text is adaptable to speeches too.

By: Laraba Okolo

Laraba Okolo — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:13:26 +0000

sott
Hello, i am a finial year student of the department of theater and performing arts. Ahmadu Bello university Zaria, kaduna state. Nigeria. Doing a project on “theatrical elements in public speaking and their effectiveness” and your book attracted me. I think it is a must read by all public speakers. people have negleted the power of acting and i think for effective communication, the use of the human body is more than important. it has a voice which although can not be heard, communicates truth. Since it is an ongoing project i pray more grease to your elbow. Keep the good work going.

By: Laraba Okolo

Laraba Okolo — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:11:14 +0000

By: Leszek Cyfer

Leszek Cyfer — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 21:04:59 +0000

Well, one of the greatest things I remember is a really inspiring fragment where he writes about overcoming the writing “block”, demolishing the barrier that prevents us from being creative.

As a typical assignment – an essay of 1000 words, a girl in his class wanted to write about history of USA (typical work which would be a compilation of earlier works). Instead he gave her an assignment to write about Bozeman – the city where he was teaching. But she was unable to write anything. So he shrinked it and told her to write about the main street of Bozeman. After a week she came to him in tears – she just couldn’t write anything (I suppose because there were no books in library about the Bozeman’s main street :) ). Now, angry, he told her to write a thousand words essay about the front wall of the opera building on the main street of Bozeman. Starting from the top left stone in the wall.

Next day she came with over 5 thousand word essay. She said that she have bought a hotdog, sat there and wrote about the first stone, then the second and so on. She just couldn’t stop.

He took away her blinkers by forcing her to concentrate on small thing – a single stone in the wall – because she simply couldn’t read about it from anywhere – she had to open her eyes and use them.

Later he was giving his students in the classroom nickels and telling them to write about the coin – for the entire lesson. Some even asked him if they can write about the other side too :) None ever complained and there were no problems with writing.

There are many more great things from the book – it’s really worth reading and rereading – mine is worn out :)

His sequel – “Lila. An inquiry into morals” – made much more profound impact on my life and vision than “Zen…”. If you didn’t read this one – just do. I cannot emphasize it more. Simply an eye opener. After Lila, nothing looked to me the same as before.

By: Scott

Scott — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 17:44:12 +0000

Leszek: Yes, I’ve read it many times, but not in many years. It used to be one of my favorite books.

I’ll have to go back and have a look – any parts of the book in particular you’d recommend? (I recall it’s quite rambling – which is why many don’t finish the book)

By: Leszek Cyfer

Leszek Cyfer — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 16:19:13 +0000

By: Research help: Where does “see them naked” come from? | Speaker Confessions

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:33:11 +0000

[...] It hasn’t been referenced in 50+ books I’ve read [...]

By: Kirkistan

Kirkistan — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:16:38 +0000

I’m a great fan of this blog and your work. I’ve begun to wonder at the relationship between busking and public speaking. Both involve keeping people delighted, though busking has the added complexity of getting money out of people after they’ve heard/seen the spiel.

By: Scott Rarden

Scott Rarden — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:32:19 +0000

I haven’t done any public speaking for years, and when I did it was in junior high and high school. When I spoke then it was for one reason — to get scholarships! And what did you have to do? Figure out who you were going to be talking to, and practice, practice, practice. Practice alone, practice in front of family, practice in front of a mirror, practice while waiting for the bus. Even did some practicing with the local toastmasters group — you are right, they were rigorous in their speech rules and a great place to learn.

I didn’t practice enough – I lost.

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:03:36 +0000

Thanks Jurgen! I’m on it!