Public Speaking Made Simple

The Story

In today's world, the ability to speak well in public is integral to personal success, but millions of people are either afraid to speak in public or are apprehensive about their ability to organize a substantive, entertaining presentation that is right for the audience. Fortunately, there isPublic Speaking Made Simple. Most public speaking books on the market focus on one aspect of presentations: writing the speech, overcoming stage fright, or using support media. In contrast,Public Speaking Made Simpleoffers step-by-step, practical instruction, not scholarly theory, on how to deal with all of the important aspects of public speaking. Curt Simmons begins by explaining how to analyze the audience, demonstrates the importance of appealing to their interests, and then walks speakers through every aspect of writing the script. Along the way, he shows how to enhance the presentation with different kinds of media--from overhead transparencies to computer packages like Powerpoint. Mechanical failures such as uncooperative microphones or jammed slides are always possible, and Simmons offers strategies to get past them. He explains how to use hand gestures and eye contact, how to combat stage fright, how to practice at home, and how to decide on what (and what not!) to wear. Finally, the conclusion includes an appendix of five annotated sample speeches that illustrate different points in the text. Comprehensive, easy-to-use, and practical,Public Speaking Made Simpleoffers a better value than the other more-limited public speaking books on the market and is a must-have for business people, students, or anyone making a presentation.