Load a demo and view the generated results. By Dave Bricker Great words fail without great delivery, yet so many speechwriters deliver a manuscript and leave the performance up to the (often-inexperienced) speaker. Paste your speech into the box below … More ☛
To continue with the theme of “Get Rid of Your I-Infection,” how many message do you receive that begin with phrases like: I want to invite you to a special event I just had to tell you about my new … More ☛
Since time immemorial, clichés have sneaked in the door when we least expect them to. They’re low-hanging fruit for writers who abscond with them quickly instead of striving for excellence. But to the trained eye, writing clichés stick out like … More ☛
Verbs are the engines that move your writing and your readers, but many authors don’t spend enough time choosing the right ones. If your writing was an electric guitar, your verbs would be the volume, tone, and distortion controls that … More ☛
Find your favorite writer and give them this message: They no longer have to mire their writing down with awkward “his or her” and “he or she” and “he/she” usages. According to The Washington Post, the singular they/them has been … More ☛
The principles behind the simple art of essay writing can be applied to most any kind of written work. Even if you never write an academic paper again, these techniques will help you write more focused and powerful prose. Time … More ☛
Two-word clichés are perhaps the least obvious kind. Unless we’re vigilant, they sneak into our prose, steal color, mask our individual writer’s voice, and make us sound like millions of other writers who mindlessly employ the same worn out word … More ☛
If you’re not using your Word Processor‘s Track Changes function, you’re missing out on one of the best writing tools of the digital age. The good news: it’s quick and easy to learn. This video tutorial will show you how. … More ☛
This article explains the tab ruler found on every word processor and typesetting application. Understanding the simple and elegant split ruler and tab functions opens up a world of formatting opportunities. Digital typesetting and word processing inherited a number of … More ☛
Discussions of English Language pet peeves provide an entertaining forum for the expression of ire. In fact, if a “pet” is something we cherish, and a “peeve” is something that annoys us, “pet peeves” are what we love to hate. … More ☛
The Oxford comma, or serial comma is a subject of constant debate among writers. Do we need that comma before the last item on a list? Even without a list, the comma is an important determiner of meaning. Time to … More ☛
A few years ago, I attended a nonfiction-writing workshop where I was told by the instructor that to qualify as nonfiction, a work must adhere as strictly to truth as possible. But such an edict rests on the naïve assumption … More ☛
Generic descriptions are telltale signs of lazy writing. Add color to your writing by replacing overused and boring words. It’s such a nice day today. He’s very bright. My dog is really funny. Bill is a good soccer player. Shari … More ☛
Dialogue presents challenges for writers. Some prefer to simply declare what was “said.” Many authors feel that “said” is both traditional and invisible: “I’m going to write some dialogue,” said Bill. “I look forward to reading it, ”said Helene. But … More ☛
“Passive writing” refers to a specific set of grammatical circumstances where emphasis switches from subject to object. The money was stolen by Jill. instead of Jill stole the money. This is confusing if you’re writing about Jill but perfectly acceptable … More ☛
The word “that” is often abused. “That” is a perfectly useful pronoun but it’s often the useless fat that slows down an otherwise good sentence. I think that you and I need to talk. I told my readers that I … More ☛
As a graphic designer, I see numerous parallels between the values that create engaging imagery and the values that create engaging prose. So many designs fail because the designer arranged elements on a page without questioning their purpose, hierarchy, or … More ☛
What do you think a professional editor‘s pay scale should be? Assume that a proofreader would be at the bottom of the scale and a developmental/line editor would be at the top. An examination of the work editors perform sheds … More ☛
In part one, you define the outcome, the transformation. In part two, you mapped out the road to get there. In part three, you crafted opening lines that inspired your audience to pay attention to you and your message. What’s … More ☛
We’ve all heard that speaker, the one with a particular type of poor me story that can actually be dangerous. I had a wonderful career doing what I loved and making lots of money. I lived in a beautiful house … More ☛
When can you use someone else’s intellectual property? With the property-holder’s permission, you can do what you want. That’s the safest way to use anyone else’s anything. Otherwise, the “gray area” is governed by the doctrine of fair use and … More ☛
Trademarks are registered for names and logos associated with specific purposes. For example, my StorySailing® name is trademarked and the corresponding logo has a separate trademark. Because I registered a trademark for StorySailing, nobody else can legally use that name—unless … More ☛
Ideas are “intellectual property.” I.P. includes print-based material like books and articles and scripts, music and video, and also logos and names. As authors, speakers, and thought leaders, we make our living from our intellectual property, and we rely on … More ☛
Effective speakers wrap their messages in stories—but few understand what stories are and how they work. This brief guide explores why some narratives connect with listeners and others don’t. Examples—including a few of the author‘s nautical adventure tales—reveal powerful techniques … More ☛
How do you turn your me story into a you story? As engaging and interesting as the tale of your ocean crossing, summiting of Mount Everest, or successful marathon run may be, it won’t take long before audiences begin to … More ☛
Here are speaking topic trends observed in conferences, and media as of April, 2023. Speaking topic trends can change quickly. For example, “AI” would not have appeared on the list a few years ago. It seems reasonable to imagine that … More ☛
(419 words) William Lyon Phelps (1865-1943) was an American educator, literary critic and author. On April 6, 1933, in response to the Nazi burning of books containing “un-German” ideas, he delivered the following radio address: The Speech (excerpted) The habit … More ☛
(238 words) Susan B. Anthony had been arrested for voting in Rochester, New York in the 1872 elections, violating state laws that allowed only men to vote. During her criminal trial, Anthony argued that she had the right to vote … More ☛
(353 words) “Ain’t I a Woman?” was an extemporaneous speech given by Sojourner Truth (1797–1883), who was born into slavery in New York State. After gaining her freedom in 1827, she became a well-known anti-slavery speaker. This address was given … More ☛
(366 words) Patrick Henry gave his famous speech to the Second Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775, at St. John’s Church in Richmond, Virginia, which convinced the convention to muster troops for the Revolutionary War. According to Edmund Randolph, the … More ☛
(272 words) The New York Yankees honored Lou Gehrig two months after the great first baseman found out that ALS had robbed him of his physical abilities. On July 4, 1939, Yankee Stadium was packed with 61,000 fans. When the … More ☛
(316 words) Josephine Baker was a showgirl in 1920s and ’30s Paris who retired her skimpy costumes to serve in the French Resistance before becoming an international superstar. She was the only woman to speak at Dr. Martin Luther King, … More ☛
Ethos, pathos, and logos combine to form a mode of persuasion that has ancient roots. Ethos appeals to the credibility or authority of the speaker. Trust your tough questions to Speakipedia, the world’s largest and most comprehensive resource for presenters … More ☛
(378 words) In his 1961 inaugural address, John F. Kennedy challenged America to join him in the struggle for freedom during the Cold War. Nearly a million people braved freezing temperatures to see the new President. The issues of the … More ☛
(385 words) Douglas MacArthur’s acceptance of the Thayer Award speech before the Corps of Cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, on May 12, 1962, offers excellent examples of the “rule of threes.” Almost every paragraph … More ☛
One-sentence paragraphs are common when short pieces of dialog are being exchanged, but consider the effect of serial one-sentence paragraphs in other contexts. The following excerpt from my sailing memoir, The Blue Monk describes an ocean crossing in a small … More ☛
The Rule of Threes suggests that concepts or ideas presented in threes are inherently more interesting, more enjoyable, and more memorable. Groups of three blend of rhythm and emphasis. Three is the smallest number required to form a pattern, and … More ☛
We all love dessert! If you dine at Seasons 52, you’ll be presented with a selection of tiny sweets at the end of your meal—chocolate mousse, key lime pie, carrot cake, and a host of other delectable options to enjoy … More ☛
Though I rarely perform professionally, I play guitar every day. It’s my healthy drug and I’ve been addicted to it for over forty years. If you play music or ever wanted to learn how it’s probably because you heard someone … More ☛
Abraham Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg address has been recorded by numerous orators over the years, including Orson Welles, but few of these works suggest that the speakers did anything more than read with conviction. How do you reconstruct a speech that … More ☛
(308 words) “We Shall Fight on the Beaches” is a small portion of a longer speech delivered by Winston Churchill to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom on June 4, 1940 during the Second Word … More ☛
Words and Terms related to speaking and speechwriting: Adynaton [ad-uh-NAY-ton]: A form of hyperbole in which the exaggeration is so extreme as to be impossible “You will sooner find a donkey flying than see me agree to that deal.” Allegory … More ☛
Is your story big enough? What a sad question! Too many meaningful stories go untold because we fear they’re not as big as someone else’s. Why should we tell tales about life as a middle manager in a corporate cubicle … More ☛
Writing teachers encourage us to engage the mind and senses. Describe sights, smells, tastes, sounds, feelings, thoughts, and tactile experiences to appeal to the reader’s imagination on every possible level. In concept, this is excellent advice. In practice, the advice … More ☛
Many write and speak absently about “starts” and “beginnings.” John started to talk about his feelings for Vera. Ed began the long trek to the computer repair shop. Jeanne started to feel as if nobody else cared about the garden. … More ☛
A common mistake is to confuse “who” and “that” —another common misuse of the word “that.” She’s the girl that loves me. My boss is the only one that cares about the late project. I’m looking for the man that … More ☛
“That” is often useless fat that slows down an otherwise elegant sentence. Fortunately, misuse of “that” is one of the easiest writing patterns to find and evaluate. I think that you and I need to talk. I told my … More ☛
Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “There is nothing to fear but fear itself.” Why is it that some words naturally stick in our heads… like the lyrics to a song that keeps spinning in our brains? What if we could harness … More ☛
Dialogue… So many speakers miss this fantastic opportunity to engage the audience. When it’s time for dialogue, they narrate it. My wife walked in and she asked if I’d pick up some groceries on the way home from work. I … More ☛
If you’re the least bit human, you’ve probably battled imposter syndrome at one time or another. Who am I to be up on a stage giving advice to a room full of people I’ve never met? In speechwriting, this healthy … More ☛
One highly-effective way to confuse your audience is to use too many acronyms, especially acronyms they might not know. Skip explaining what they stand for to inspire even more blank stares. OMG! I’m LMAO … ROFL … So I … More ☛
Just sit down and write! Let the ideas flow! For many of us, they do—and it’s easy to become enamored with that feeling that we are channeling ideas from some sort of mystical “source.” Flow–writing is a marvelous feeling but … More ☛
If we’re honest and authentic, we often feel compelled to fill in every detail of a story as it actually happened—but this isn’t always the best strategy. Be a journey-ist, not a journalist. The purpose of a story is to … More ☛
It’s pitch day and five big construction contractors show up, each of them hoping to convince the university that they should be the ones to build the new STEM building. One by one, each contractor drags the selection committee through … More ☛
I spent 40 hours trying to memorize a five-minute speech once. And then I skipped an important line! Memorizing a speech is difficult and time-consuming… And the number one cause of memory lapses is worrying about memory lapses! The solution … More ☛
We all like to look at attractive models… But I’m not talking about the kind that smiles for the camera. If you have ideas to share, communicate them with a contextual model. When I teach storytelling, I share the StorySailing® … More ☛
If you asked me a question—a deep or complex question—and I shot back a quick answer, you might conclude that I didn’t care enough to think about what you wanted to know. On the other hand, if I paused and … More ☛
The callback is a very effective speechwriting technique that adds a natural exclamation mark to the end of your talk. Watch the beginning of Errol Leandre’s One Rotten Apple speech. He sets up the rotten apple motif and then he … More ☛
So many speakers offer wonderful advice … And then they forget to Kick ASK! What is it we’re supposed to do next? How can we take what they’ve given us and harness its power? Calls to action—CTAs—can be simple: Stories … More ☛
Do you have a powerful story? Great! That’s an advantage. Now tell your story about the audience! What does that mean? Make your story a metaphor for the audience’s story. In my storytelling speech, I share a time when I … More ☛
Never play the victim card, on stage or in life. Don’t use your audience as a therapist. Your triumph over cancer, escape from an abusive relationship, or successful battle with addiction is admirable but… When we’re in pain, we tend … More ☛
How many of you have heard speakers address the audience as a group? Is it okay to do that? What do you guys think? There are a few problems here: If I ask “How many of you,” I’m asking a … More ☛
Here’s a simple rule: If you bring your audience into darkness, bring them back into the light. Not every story has a happy ending, but it should at least offer a worthwhile lesson. If everybody in your story loses and … More ☛
Like the Chauffeur story, here’s a tale that thousands of speakers love to tell but shouldn’t: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=speaker+telling+the+starfish+story A man walking along the beach noticed that thousands of starfish had been washed up on the sand by a storm tide. And … More ☛
Like the Starfish story, the Chauffeur story get recycled over and over. In the story, Max Planck, the famous physicist, is being driven around Germany on a lecture tour. One day, the driver makes a suggestion: “Mr. Planck, these scientists … More ☛
Like many speakers, I have many more hours of material ready than I could ever share in a single keynote—stories, exercises, lessons, conceptual models, and more. And I have hundreds of carefully-illustrated slides to go with this material. While aspiring … More ☛
Many of us can recite poems and lyrics we first heard when we were children. Rhythm and rhyme are beyond memorable. So why don’t we use them more often when we speak? I was bored with my elevator pitch and … More ☛
Anaphora is the repetition of a phrase to drive home the impact of a speech. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. used anaphora to great effect in several parts of his famous “I have a dream” speech. Here are a few … More ☛
Alliteration perpetually positions presenters to produce powerful programs that inspire professionals to make progress on their paths toward prosperity. Repetitive pronunciation of parts of prose offers a peculiarly promising way to position your playful premises, practical promises, and pithy platitudes … More ☛
Joseph Campbell’s “Hero’s Journey” model offers a story structure that’s been used to create many successful narratives. Star Wars is a classic Hero’s Journey. Here’s how it works: Introduce the hero living in their Ordinary World. They hear a call … More ☛
Unless you’re specifically hired to talk about sex, politics, or religion, don’t. As the leader up on the stage, do what you can to unify people. You may not think sex is controversial but some people do. You may be … More ☛
It’s so easy to grab a photo off the Internet It’s so easy to use your favorite song as background music while you run up on the stage. It’s so easy to share that inspiring story you heard. But it’s … More ☛
So many speakers miss out on a huge opportunity to engage audiences when they narrate dialogue in past tense. He said. She said. It sounds kind of like this: A friend suggested I create a series of videos about public … More ☛
The relationships between gestures and spoken words are an important part of effective public speaking. Gestures can come before the spoken words, during the words, or after them. Hand gestures can add emphasis to things you say, as you say … More ☛
Winston S. Churchill gave thousands of speeches, and though he had a memory like an elephant’s, he read every one of them from a script. To deliver these speeches in a compelling way, he wrote them out in a style … More ☛
I said goodbye to my traveling companion, rowed back to my anchored sailboat, sat in the cockpit, and looked around the harbor. What am I doing here? I’m twenty-four years old, single, unemployed, and alone in a foreign country on … More ☛
One in five Americans reads below a fifth grade level! The average person spends two years of their life on the phone! 87.3% of all statistics are made up on the spot! A startling statistic (or two or three) will … More ☛
One simple way to open a speech is with questions—usually three. How will you captivate your audience at the beginning of your next speech? How will you show them you have a message they care about? How will you assure … More ☛
Sometimes we say one thing when we want to say another. Maybe you need to reject someone but you want to let them down easy. It goes something like this: Oh thank you Beth. That’s such a kind invitation! (hand … More ☛
I’ve appeared as a guest on many podcasts. My hosts are almost always astonished when I refer them to the media hosts page on my website. There, they find my bio, my intro, my logo, headshots, and a list of … More ☛
We talked about the I-infection—about people who talk incessantly about themselves. I did this and I did that. That gets old fast. Audiences want to know what’s in it for them. So how do we use “I,” “we,” and “you” … More ☛
In part 1 we defined the transformation. By knowing how we want our audience to think, feel, or act differently after they’ve seen our presentation, we can tailor our content to helping them achieve those goals. In part 2, we … More ☛
Once you have the transformation defined, map out the steps to get there. Let’s say the transformation is that we want our listeners to appreciate the peanut butter and jelly sandwich as a nutritious and healthy meal, and not as … More ☛
Lecturers deliver information; speakers deliver transformation. You may talk about finance, artificial intelligence, or real estate—and that information may be valuable—but if you just want to share data, a printed article is faster to consume and your audience can take … More ☛
The two most important parts of a speech are the beginning and the ending. We need to engage the audience during the first few seconds with a killer opening—an amazing fact, provocative questions, or an engaging story. And at the … More ☛
Over the years I’ve spent speaking, I’ve developed special ways to explain a variety of concepts. I’ve written books, created beautiful slides, and shared a number of workshops. But as clearly as I’ve mapped out my messages, I’ve discovered only … More ☛
Too many speakers write boring introductions that force the emcee to kill all the energy in the room before they even begin their speech. Your audience can read your biography in the event program. They probably don’t care about where … More ☛
Often—usually—we’re asked to speak for a certain number of minutes. If we have ten minutes to speak, how can we avoid writing a 30-minute talk that has to be edited down? How can we steer clear of having to rush … More ☛
Some speakers get away with it, but think about it like this: You never know who’s in the audience. If your f-bomb offends one person in the room, they could be the one person who complains or who has the … More ☛
What is a “dynamic ramp?” In your speech, perhaps you share a story from many years ago and then you jump to a recent story, and then you add a conclusion at the end. That’s three distinct sections. How will … More ☛
Writing an eloquent speech is 98% of the work. Delivering that speech in an engaging way is the other 98%. Some speakers take years to discover this. They talk about being afraid or angry but they don’t speed up or … More ☛
A super way to surprise your audience is to “find the funny in the room” and use it to your advantage. Years ago, I competed in a humorous speech contest. My talk was about “my speaking journey” and how a … More ☛
What’s the difference between a lecturer and a speaker? A lecturer delivers information. A speaker delivers transformation. Remember all those teachers you had who were passionate enough about their subjects to have earned advanced degrees in them? And then they … More ☛
Here’s one of my favorite advertisements: This hair salon bills itself as the place “where the women you hate get their hair done.” That’s funny because most salons tell women they’ll make them more attractive to men. Instead, this one … More ☛
Write a humorous speech. What’s that? You don’t think you’re funny? Well, you’re not alone. Most comedians aren’t funny, either. Contemporary humorists have broken every toilet humor and sexual humor boundary, and yet so many of them keep trying to … More ☛
Heart words are verbs that offer emotional impact. Words like “put” and “use” and “develop” are functional but bland. Words like “create” and “inspire” and “discover” are motivating and empowering. Use this collection of heart words in calls to action, … More ☛
Load a demo and view the AI-generated results. Speaker Introduction Wizard by Dave Bricker A strong, interesting, and concise introduction sets the stage for your performance. It builds energy and primes your audience to focus on the problem you address, … More ☛
Can you tell your story concisely? A popular anecdote about Ernest Hemingway says he made a bet with friends that he could tell a story in only six words. That story: Baby shoes for sale. Never worn. Whether … More ☛
