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Speech-Time Exclusive --, Pick up some public speaking social skills!
November 11, 2008
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Welcome to Speech-Time exclusive. Building public speaking skills is more than a one-time thing, and that's why we're writing this e-zine! Every other week, we'll give you the opportunity to take your public speaking to the next level.

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This week, we'll be talking about...

The Power of a Word

Table of Contents

1. What is in a word? Your contributions, buying speeches.

2. "Quotes To Speak By"

3. Chose your words carefully.



Why do words matter?

Welcome back to the wonderful world of the spoken word. I would like to personally welcome all new subscribers, and thank those who have recommended our site. As always, we welcome your questions, suggestions, and contributions. After all, we are all in this together! When starting the topic of the amazing power of words, we realized that only one session would not even make a dent in the topic. So, welcome to part 3, the final section of Words, Wonderful Words!

Your contributions.

I'd like to remind you that you can contribute content to the site in a number of ways and on a variety of topics. If you have something to share about public speaking, share it!

Professional Speeches You Can Buy

While Speech-Time.com is all about writing speeches, we know that sometimes everyone gets short on time - at least, I do! So I reviewed a couple of websites where you can buy professionally-written speeches for those times when you just can't get your ready. Check them out at What to Do When You Need A Speech FAST.



2. "Quotes To Speak By"

This week Nathaniel Hawthorne, American author, best voices the power of a word.

"Words - so innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in a dictionary, how potent for good and evil they become in the hands of one who knows how to combine them."




3. The Right Word

Why does a simple thing like a word matter so much? After all, everybody from a precocious 15-month-old to a PhD in astrophysics uses the same words.

Like certain scents, words can evoke powerful emotions. "We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness...." Words such as these ignited a revolution that would change the world forever for good, while another man's speech a mere 160 years later ushered in one of the most horrific eras in human history. "Europe will not have peace until the Jewish question has been disposed of....the outcome will not be the victory of Jewry, but rather the annihilation of the Jewish race in Europe!"

The founding fathers of the United States were masters of the spoken word, as was Adolph Hitler. Try listening to one of Hitler's speeches. What feelings does it evoke? Then read one of the founding documents. The differences are stunning. Both evoke powerful feelings, but Hitler's words leave a feeling of unrest, an urge to exercise power, while the founding documents give a feeling of peace, the desire to improve lives and situations.

Chose your words carefully. Try each one on for size. Don't try to impress by using big, fancy words when smaller, simpler ones will do. Watch your descriptions. Don't throw around words casually such as 'spectacular' or 'truly amazing,' because then what will you do when something truly spectacular or amazing happens?

Don't look at a speaking assignment as a chore, but a fun experiment. See how different combinations sound, different words. A thesaurus is a great help in this exercise, as long as you do not get too original! And above all, enjoy the journey of seeing where your words can take you.

As said by Mark Twain, "The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug."

Public speaking is a craft, and words are our tools. Make them memorable and heart-felt. Your speeches will be better for it.

Happy speaking!

P.S. Public speaking is my profession, enabled by Speech-Time.com. To find out how you can do the same and make your passion your profession, visit my About Us web page. or check out SiteSell.com

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