Shortcuts to Eloquence

Written by Larry Tracy


Continued from page 1

Where to find examples ofrepparttar Rhythmic Triple. You local library will have copies of Vital Speeches, published every two weeks. Peruse speeches made by prominent business and government leaders, and you'll find numerous examples ofrepparttar 140504 rhythmic triple. You can then adapt these to your own requirements. You can also use a thesaurus or synonym finder to aid you in finding related words to link together in developing your rhythmic triple.

A word of caution. This is a such a powerful device that employing it almost guarantees your point will be remembered by your audience. So be careful when employing. You may wish to take a lesson fromrepparttar 140505 experience ofrepparttar 140506 first President George Bush.

Atrepparttar 140507 1988 Republican Convention, then Vice-president Bush, againstrepparttar 140508 advice of some of his economic advisers, used a double "Rhythmic Triple" in saying "Read My Lips: No New Taxes." Had he wanted to be vague, while still voicing his opposition to new taxes, he could have said "At this point in time, I assure you that I have no intention of engaging in any new revenue enhancement devices."

Those inrepparttar 140509 Convention audience, and Republicans watching on television, would have known he was promising to not raise taxes. The cumbersome phrase, however, would not have been memorable.

He was elected President that year, of course, but proceeded to raise taxes in 1990. During his bid for reelection in 1992,repparttar 140510 Democratic Party kindly remindedrepparttar 140511 electorate of his double rhythmic triple . Had Mr. Bush not been so eloquent in 1988, he might have been reelected in 1992.

As with all these devices, don't overdo it. You do not want to be so engrossed in "sounding" eloquent that you do not get your message across. Too many triples is similar to putting too much seasoning on food. It will take a lot of experimenting, but once you are comfortable with this technique, you have added a powerful weapon to your speaking arsenal.

Shortcut three: Rhetorical Question

This technique, where you pose a question and then providerepparttar 140512 answer, can be used to draw an audience that may have "wandered off" back torepparttar 140513 speaker's message. It can also be used to forcerepparttar 140514 audience to reflect actively on what you have said, not just passively listen.

You can also use it to lead into a summary of key points, as well as a transition from one key point to another.

If you are making a presentation to a small group, and notice that a person is sleeping, you may wish to move close to that person, pose a question, wait about two seconds, and then providerepparttar 140515 answer.

The result will be an audience member who is now wide awake and very grateful that it was a rhetorical question, not one demanding an answer. Be cautious, however, in using this technique when presenting to a senior executive who might have dozed off. It will be more prudent to let others wake him or her up.

In draftingrepparttar 140516 presentation, look for places to insert rhetorical questions, then merely convert declarative sentences into question form, and you have automatically changedrepparttar 140517 cadence of your presentation. You also keeprepparttar 140518 audience attentive, because they will not know if it is a rhetorical question or one where you expect someone to respond.

Shortcut four: The Pause

Inserted strategically and occasionally dramatically, a pause is an effective means to call attention to a point just made, allowingrepparttar 140519 information to be absorbed beforerepparttar 140520 next point is articulated. Developingrepparttar 140521 technique ofrepparttar 140522 pause also forces a speaker with a tendency to speak quickly to slow down. The pause can be effectively used to substitute for "uh" when you are reaching for justrepparttar 140523 right word.

Think of your presentation as vintage wine being poured intorepparttar 140524 small wine glasses of your audience's retention. You cannot pour constantly, or much ofrepparttar 140525 wine will spill onrepparttar 140526 table. Stop pouring for about two seconds to permit another glass to be placed underrepparttar 140527 bottle.

There are a number of other rhetorical devices, butrepparttar 140528 ones provided here provide a solid start. Learn to integrate them into your presentations and meetings, and you will be thought of as a very experienced and eloquent speaker, even if you are not yet at this stage.

This article is excerpted from Larry Tracy’s book, "The Shortcut to Persuasive Presentations." A retired Army colonel, he was called “an extraordinarily effective speaker” by President Reagan. He has been cited in several publications as one of the top presentations trainers in the US. His website is #1 on Google for “persuasive presentations.” He will be on the cover of the July American Speaker magazine. http://www.tracy-presentation.com


Nurturing Your Soul

Written by Lael Johnson


Continued from page 1

Unburden Yourself: It's important to have support, duringrepparttar fun times as well asrepparttar 140385 tough times. A wide base of support may consist of friends, family and community resources (e.g. church, synagogue, support groups and healthcare professionals) and keeping a personal journal. There are many resources available to address difficult areas that arise while doing your work. It's important to maintain a balance when you are helping others. Make sure that you are receiving support from others on a regular basis.

Rule Yourself: Work regularly toward keeping your internal life in order. Reach out to your support system. Reach out if something is out of order, if you have a question or concern, and yes, to celebraterepparttar 140386 good times, too. If you have a particular spiritual discipline that you follow, make sure to devote some regular time to that practice as well as torepparttar 140387 community that shares that practice with you. This will energize you and help you keep your focus onrepparttar 140388 bigger picture.

Embrace Yourself: Hug yourself. Take mini-breaks and vacations. Plan for fun times for yourself and with your favorite people. Laugh. Take a humor break. Act like a child. Surprise yourself. Surprise yourself again! Keep smiling.

Lael Johnson, owner of Writer's Eye Advisory Service, offers creativity coaching services and additional writing resources. This article may be reprinted as long as the text is unchanged and the author is notified by placing the title of the article in the subject line.


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