10 Commandments of Public Speaking

The 10 Commandments of Public Speaking

Yesterday I had the pleasure to give a short session about public speaking at Nasawiya. During the session I basically condensed some 10 years of experience into 10 commandments and explained what they meant.  It was an enjoyable session that was also video recorded so I hope to share some of the video with you once I get my hands on it. Until then here are the 10 commandments and below you will be able ot download the presentation I used. I’m sharing it under a creative commons license so feel free to use it, enjoy it and don’t forget to credit itJ

The 10 Commandments of Public Speaking

1.       Thou shall prepare and practice

2.       Thou shall be organized

3.       Thou shall control nervousness

4.       Thou shall open strongly

5.       Thou shall use vocal variety

6.       Thou shall use body language

7.       Thou shall give a KISS

8.       Thou shall use visual aids wisely

9.       Thou shall listen actively

10.   Thou shall end strongly

And here is the full presentation 10 Commandments of Public Speaking

Happy speaking and if you need to get any help with a presentation or speech drop me a line at sallyshalabi [at] yahoo [dot] com.

 

Verbal Fencing

The word play between two is a seduction, a game of flirtation even. It is a matching of wits, a battle of intellect and language. I enjoy this battle more than any other. But this game of words and humor, can either be invigorating or utterly exasperating. I engage in verbal play with people all the time. If it is any good it could possibly lead to mental intercourse, something that is very pleasurable and always desirable for me. If it is bad then I’m left feeling like a cold fish.

My favorite and preferred types of oral sports is the kind that includes both humor and flirtation. Sarcasm and irony rank high up there too. There is something very stimulating about being able to take simple words and give them complex meanings. The stimulation is in having the other party understand, enjoy, and play back. Matching verbal volley for verbal volley, humor for more humor, and flirtation for flirtation. And this is not a blood sport so the purpose is purely recreational.

On the other hand, this exercise becomes tiresome very quickly for me when it is met as a challenge or not met at all. If it treated like a competition, with the other player having to get the last word in, or not even letting the other get a word in edgewise, or has to be right and drills the same point over and over and over and over again (I am sure each of us can think of at least one person who is like that). This is exhausting and exasperating. I am not interested in verbal fencing, where there has to be a winner. But rather, verbal foreplay that is fun, light and could lead to a happily satisfactory end that may or may not have a conclusion.

So put down your fencing swords and bring out that funny, witty, flirtatious tongue. It makes for a much more amusing event and a merrier evening for all involved.