Give Your Speech, Change the World: How To Move Your Audience to Action

The concept of giving a speech is very different from the more general concept of public speaking. For example, a trainer who teaches a class for five days is a public speaker; however, she is not really giving a speech. A speech is shorter in nature and very focused. One might argue that a training class is just a collection of speeches, but this is untrue. The public speaker - acting as a trainer - must involve the audience more so that they really learn and retain the information. The public speaker - acting as an orator or speech giver - does not have the same demands placed upon him.Why all this discussion of speech versus training? Because this book seems to indicate that it is about public speaking (the back cover says, "There are several universal truths about public speaking") in general, but it is really about giving a speech. I point this out because the research shows that many recommendations in the book are completely wrong when applied to training though they are correct when applied to speeches.For example, recommending that you do not use slides (I won't say PowerPoint because there are many presentation tools used for delivering slides) is a great suggestion for a speech but a horrible recommendation for training. Visual aids are absolutely and scientifically proven to improve the learning process in a training event. Slides should definitely be used to represent processes, show technical concepts and so on in a training class. The question is this: are you going to get extremely technical in a speech? It's doubtful; however, if you are, you should probably use handouts with the speech.This is why I gave the book four stars. I think it's one of the best books I've read on giving speeches; however, it is not the best book on the more general topic of public speaking - which includes training. The back cover should be clearer about the focus of the book. Believe the cover and not the description is the best advice.In fairness though, there aren't a lot of good books about public speaking in general that give the right advice for the varied types of presentaitons. You usually do need to get a book on the specialized mode of presentation in which you'll be involed. This book is an excellent one for giving speeches.I'd recommend Beyond Bullet Points as another excellent book that shows how slids can be effectively used in a speech and Life is a Series of Presentations for a general resource on public speaking.

Strangely enough, it actually takes some of the pressure off when you forget yourself and turn your attention outward by making your presentations audience centered.The first two sections, History/Overview and Preparing the Content, were fantastic, though I would have liked a few more examples in the context of actual speeches. I am definitely trying to implement the idea of archetypal story into my presentations. These two sections were fascinating and challenged me to think of presentations / speeches in a whole new light (and not the dim PowerPoint light that normally accompanies presentations!).The last two sections, Rehearsing the Presentation and Stand and Deliver, offer good, solid advice. For the most part, it's nothing new or particularly earth shaking, but it doesn't hurt to be reminded of the basics - get a good night's sleep, get there early, relax, and PRACTICE.

One Stop Shop For Writing and Giving Your Speech!!!This book blew me away on how comprehensive it was regarding creating and giving a speech. I used it to frame up a keynote I gave and it couldn't have gone better.Since I read this book, I have met several of Dr. Nick Morgan's personal students and others who have been student's "from afar." His personal student's are VERY successful speakers and refer to him as their mentor. They get booked, they get paid (very well), they get ongoing contracts with corporations to consult. Take the advice seriously. Follow the directions. You will succeed.

Great book that gives you simple yet attainable steps to change the way you communicate. Nick Morgan shows you how to change your perspective and really deliver a presentation to your audience that they will want to hear. You will leave this reading experience with a better understanding of what it takes to influence/persuade an audience. You will also learn to understand the psychological patterns and stories your audience will relate to, and you will do it from a basis of integrity and transparency. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to take that next step in sharing you passion through speech. I found this book has made a difference in my group presentations as well as my one on one meetings. I hope this book is a benefit to you, it certainly has been to me. Trust Me: Four Steps to Authenticity and Charisma

The media could not be loaded.  I was introduced to Nick Morgan's book by a fellow author who thought it might help structure my speeches in a more formulaic and powerful way. (I give over 50 speeches a year and was dubious this book could help.) Boy, was I impressed. This is a great overnight education read! I literally read it in one night start to finish. With great examples from people like MLK, Kennedy, Lincoln, Reagan I was inspired to change the way I build my speeches.As an author myself, I also found tremendous value in reading this book. If you write business books, I think the first half of this book could help you! It's a fantastic read.

I loved this book and how it caught the essence of what a speech or a presentation is - a chance to change the world (or at least a small part of it). A great mix of applicable tips, quotes, and useful stories, you'll find that following Mr. Morgan's steps will lead you to be better at engaging audiences and will help you be even more comfortable in front of crowds. He'll have you begging to be the one up front with a microphone!

Just outstanding. So full of the authors experience and knowledge yet laid out in a very easy to read format. As a speaker with some experience this absolutely relaid a foundation and has given me dozens of ideas to work into upcoming situations. So glad I took the time to read this and looking forward to more of what the author has available.

having read numerous books on presentations and public speaking this stands out as a particularly insightful book. I'd recommend it strongly to anyone interested in improving their speaking prowess.

「スピーチの仕方」に関する本です。講演、研修、プレゼン、ミーティング等では、話し手が伝えたいメッセージが、参加者に受け取ってもらえなければ意味がないのだから、参加者のことを第一に考えた（参加者のこことを最大限尊重した）スピーチをするよう心掛けなくてはならない。本書は、そのようなスピーチをする為にはどのような点に留意したらよいか、具体的に丁寧に説明しております。本書は、次の４章に分かれています。PART I HISTORY AND OVERVIEWPART II PREPARING THE CONTENTPART III REHEARSING THE PRESENTATIONPART IV STAND AND DELIVERPART II では、「参加者が抱えている問題を明確にし、それに対する解決策を示すことが肝要である」と述べています。本章を読みながら、David Meerman Scottさんの"The New Rules of Marketing & PR"にも同じようなことが書いてあったのを思い出し、やはりこの点はとっても大事なのだなぁ…と改めて思いました。PART III では、「良いスピーチをするためには、リハーサルをしっかり行うことが肝要である」と述べています。本章を読みながら、今度は、Carmine Galloさんの"The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs"にも同じようなことが書いてあったのを思い出し、この点もやはり大事なのだなぁ…（２０分ぐらいの研修でも面倒くさがらずにリハーサルしないとなぁ…）と反省させられました。また、全体を通して、「スピーチの上手い人は、こういうことに気をつけてやっているのか…」と納得できた点が沢山あり、なかなか興味深かったです。例えば…＜事前準備＞・自分自身でスピーチの内容を考えなければ、熱意は伝わらない。・参加者に伝えたい「鍵となるメッセージ（key message / key idea）」は一つに絞る。・参加者と自分との共通点を見つけて参加者に示し、自分を信頼してもらえるように努める。・参加者を引き込むためには、「概念」ではなく「ストーリ（ものがたり）」を語るべき。・スライド（パワーポイント）を使う場合は、一見してすぐに内容が理解できるようシンプルにする（できれば図表）。・スライドの表題は、参加者が理解しやすいよう文章で書く（名詞ではなく）。・会場の下見は必須。実際に演壇を歩いたり、観客席から演壇を眺めたりして、当日のイメージを膨らませる。＜スピーチ本番＞・本番直前は、口・顔・体を十分にほぐす。・会場の後ろまで聞こえるよう、のどの辺りで喋るのではなく、顔の前面に声をもっていくようなイメージで話す。・笑顔を忘れずに。・次のポイントに移る前には間を取って参加者の反応を確認する等、スピーチの最初から最後まで、参加者の反応を確認しながら進める。・大事なポイントを話す時は、参加者の方へ歩み寄って語りかける（前へ出る）。・手のひらを開く等、参加者に対してオープンな姿勢を取る。ずっと腕を組みながら話すようなことはしない。・スピーチの最後は、参加者の記憶に残る大事な部分である。特に熱意を込めて語ること。本書に書かれているすべての事項が、そのまま日本でも通用するかどうかは検討する（試してみる？）必要があると思いますが、少なくとも、本書には参考にすべき点が沢山あると思いました。私も、研修等で話す機会がたまにあるので、本書を参考にしながら、少しでも自分のスピーチを改善していきたいと思います。「スピーチする機会があるのだけれども、やっぱり苦手だなぁ…（私）」「もう少し自分のスピーチを良くしたいなぁ…」「研修を参加者にとって意味あるものにしたいなぁ…」等と思っている方々には、特にお勧めできる本だと思いました。