Perfect Speeches for All Occasions

by Matt Shinn

Overview

Have you been asked to give a speech?
Are you worried your nerves will get the better of you?
Do you need some tips on how to deliver your message clearly and effectively?

Perfect Speeches for All Occasions is an indispensable guide for anyone who has to give a talk or presentation. Written by Matt Shinn, a professional speech writer with years of experience in the field, it explains how to structure your speech so that it has the most impact and gives practical advice about controlling your nerves on the big day. Whether you're been asked to say a few words at a party or need to put together a high-level presentation, Perfect Speeches for All Occasions has all you need to make sure you perform with style and confidence.

The Perfect series is a range of practical guides that give clear and straightforward advice on everything from getting your first job to choosing your baby's name. Written by experienced authors offering tried-and-tested tips, each book contains all you need to get it right first time.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781409063032
Publisher:	Random House
Publication date:	07/06/2010
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	112
File size:	254 KB

About the Author

Matt Shinn is a freelance writer and editor, whose articles have appeared in The Times, the Guardian and the New Statesman. He is a former speechwriter for a number of UK Cabinet ministers, and he jointly runs an agency, Podium Speechwriters, which provides a complete speechwriting service.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgement vii

Introduction ix

The power of the spoken word xi

How to use this book xiv

1 Preparation, preparation, preparation 1

First things first - the event, and your part in it 1

Using your time to prepare 2

Building your Speech - the bottom line 11

2 Getting the structure right 16

Your audience can't rewind - making your speech memorable 16

Your introduction 16

The beginning - tell them what you're going to tell them… 22

The middle 22

And finally - how to finish with a flourish 26

3 Writing the speech 29

The reasons for bad writing 29

Some rules for good writing 32

Loaded language 32

Writing for someone else 35

Writer's block and how to get round it 37

4 Addition the flourishes 39

Humour in Speeches 39

Rhetorical flourishes 42

Writing for the ear - when to ditch what you learned at school 47

Quote unquote - when, who and how to 49

5 Winning the argument 50

The gentle art of persuasion - by fair means 51

Winning the argument - by foul means 58

6 Editing and rehearsing your speech 62

Cutting it down and fleshing it out 62

Practice makes perfect 64

Preparing your notes 66

Preparing your visuals 67

7 On the day 69

Dealing with nerves 69

Arranging the venue 70

Presentation 71

Your audience 75

8 Speeches for all occasions 79

Speeches of welcome 79

Acceptance speeches 80

Farewell speeches 80

Eulogies 80

Wedding speeches 81