Speechwriting & Presentations

A powerful question needs to be followed with a pause. A powerful statement is emphasised with a pause. Just about every key moment in a speech is best followed by a pause. A silent pause. The more pauses there are, the more impactful the…

It’s important to provide the master of ceremonies of any event with your introduction. You don’t want to leave it to chance, and the introduction is really part of the speech. It sets the scene and provides context for the audience. A poor introduction…

A good speech prop can add interest to a speech if used sparingly. Comedians use them all the time. Magicians can rarely perform without them. Props in speeches can bring the humour. Politicians have been known to bring speech props into Parliament (lump of…

It doesn’t take much to crush the spirit of a young child at school. There are bullies, unthinking teachers, parents being parents all providing real-time feedback limiting every risk a child takes. Until it becomes easier to just avoid risks. (Or do it behind…

 I don’t think I’m a religious person. However, I remember attending a Christian crusade by evangelist Leighton Ford.  Leighton Ford was a Presbyterian Minister famous for his stadium tours spreading the Christian gospel with long and powerful sermons. The crusade I went to was…

I must admit I love the storytellers at work.  They bring to life the legends, the myths, the laughs and the disbelief.  Typically I induct a new team member with work stories of the past. Stories paint our culture; they immerse the listener into…

The most important thing is for me to know the deadline. When does the client need the speech by? Then I’ll need to know who the audience is. Wedding, funeral, speech competition, keynote – all the usual. I’ll need to know how long the…

It’s timely that I now reflect on the various student speech competitions I have been involved in as a coach this year. All the students did well but after all, for anyone to stand up to talk to a judging audience is worth applauding,…

I was watching this year’s Victorian final of the Plain English Speaking Awards the other evening. Couldn’t help being impressed by the confidence on display by each of the student finalists. The presentation was online, which is a public speaking challenge for anyone, and yet each…

The tip I picked up on writing while traveling around the internet this week, was to frame everything inside a one-inch frame. Look for the detail, the minuscule (nothing to do with my favourite animation, but had to add the link ). Look for the detail, focus…

My travels around the internet universe this week took me to the topic of writing. I’m reading Stephen King’s book ‘On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft‘ and that is the best I’ve read on the topic. 📚📚 If nothing else, it highlights that writing…