Review: Good Advice For Public Speakers, Teachers, and Everyone
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 14, 2013
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.This well written guide to public speaking is full of useful information for everyone. As an author, I gained some valuable insight by reading this book. I recently did my first book presentation/book signing and I now realize that I was not as well prepared as I should have been.I agree with Dr. Baker that public speaking should be studied at length if a person intends to be a successful public speaker. Most people will admit to having a fear of public speaking, including myself. In high school, I feared public speaking more than death itself. Speech class was a requirement for graduation and I managed to get a passing grade. To be a great public speaker, a person needs to face their fear and never give up.The book includes reports, sample speeches, questions and answers, and ideas for reading lessons. Teachers must be readers in order to teach reading skills to their students. The book also contains great ideas for teachers of English as well as ideas for writers. Especially interesting was an "interview" with the late Edgar Allan Poe, one of the greatest poets of all time.Speakers must have confidence. The late Sir Winston Churchill gave some great advice: use short words and old words. Speak in language that your audience can understand, instead of using big words that may confuse the listeners. Preparation before speaking in public is of utmost importance. Actively engage your audience and make sure learning is the outcome of your presentation. My high school friend, a victim of juvenile diabetes, presented a demonstrative speech that has been engrained in my memory for over 40 years. She spoke about diabetes and gave herself an insulin injection as part of the speech.Anyone can benefit from reading this guide, since eventually we will all be called upon to speak in public. I highly recommend this book to teachers, public speakers, college students, authors, and anyone who speaks in public.