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On Speaking Well - by Peggy Noonan (Paperback)
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About this item
Highlights
- Advice from Peggy Noonan: "The most moving thing in a speech is its logic.
- Author(s): Peggy Noonan
- 224 Pages
- Language + Art + Disciplines, Public Speaking
Description
About the Book
In this insightful guide, a former speechwriter for presidents Bush and Reagan shares the best-kept secrets of the speechwriting trade.Book Synopsis
Advice from Peggy Noonan: "The most moving thing in a speech is its logic. It's not the flowery words or flourishes, it's not the sentimental exhortations, it's never the faux poetry we're all subjected to these days. It's the logic behind your case. A good case well argued and well said is inherently moving. It shows respect for the brains of the listeners. There is an implicit compliment in it. It shows you're a serious person and understand that you are talking to other serious people.No speech should last more than 20 minutes. Why? Because Ronald Reagan said so. Reagan used to say that no one wants to sit in an audience in respectful silence for longer than that, if that. He knew 20 minutes was more than enough time to say the biggest, most important thing in the world. The Gettysburg Address went five minutes, the Sermon on the Mount probably the same.
Some communications professionals will tell you there are specific gestures to use when you make a speech, particular ways to move your hands or use your voice. I do not think this counsel helpful. Be yourself in your presentation, because although there have already been Vince Lombardis and Dan Rathers and Jesse Jacksons, there has never been a you before. So you might as well be you and have a good time. Authenticity isn't just half the battle, it's a real achievement."
"When the subject is speechwriting, the first name on every... list is Peggy Noonan's... She is a very good speechwriter, perhaps the most accomplished in the country."
From the Back Cover
For anyone who fears the thought of writing and giving a speech--be it to business associates, or at a wedding--help is at hand. Acclaimed presidential speechwriter Peggy Noonan shares her secrets to becoming a confidence, persuasive speaker demystifying topics including:- Finding you own authentic voice
- Developing a text that interest you
- Acing the all-important first paragraph
- Using logic to move your audience
- Creating, developing, and reinventing the "core speech" for diverse audiences
- Strengthening your speech with a vital element: humor
- Winnowing your thought down to the essentials
- Handling professional jargon, clichés, and the sound bite syndrome
- Presenting your speech in the best way
- Collecting intellectual income--conversing your speech treasures
- Breaking all the rules and still succeeding
- Reading for inspiration--how to use the excellence of others
Complete with lessons, tips and memorable examples, On Speaking Well shows us how to create forceful, persuasive, relevant speeches that will resonate with our audiences. Engaging, informative, and always entertaining, this is undoubtedly the authoritative how-to guide for anyone writing or giving a speech