Cough CPR.

There is such a remedy. It is a simple mechanical response, which can subdue destructive effects of emotional upheaval. One hint of this possibility appeared in a procedure advocated by Dr. Tadeusz Petelenz at a meeting of European Society of Cardiology to save lives of people having a type of heart attack brought on by rapid and erratic heart beat. He suggested coughing vigorously until an ambulance arrived. The technique, called cough CPR, forced blood to brain while heart was beginning to fail and kept patients conscious long enough to call for help. Other experts said concept was provocative, but unproven and doubted whether it would have practical value. But, could this process provide a clue to a response to stressful situations?

A simple response.

The muscle movements involved in coughing could also dissipate adrenaline. But, you could hardly cough on receiving a dismissal notice. But, at first sign of an uneasy emotion, you could pump your stomach. Repeatedly expel air by tightening stomach muscles close to pelvic area. Stomach pumping helps spread adrenaline in system and subdue that tension. It is a practice with endless benefits. When you pump your stomach, muscles that do not participate in process, relax. After you finish pumping, those muscles involved also begin to relax. So, action takes place in two stages. Both beneficial. With habit, it could be a simple, built in response to any stressful event. Long after Paul's window had opened, this habit could help still unbidden turmoil of your mind. Laughter is not easy. But pumping your stomach is. Even if you find it difficult to laugh in face of imminent danger, you can still become calm and ready for battle.

Where to find examples of 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 of 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 from experience of first President George Bush.

At 1988 Republican Convention, then Vice-president Bush, against 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 in 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, Democratic Party kindly reminded 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 provide answer, can be used to draw an audience that may have "wandered off" back to speaker's message. It can also be used to force 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 provide 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 drafting presentation, look for places to insert rhetorical questions, then merely convert declarative sentences into question form, and you have automatically changed cadence of your presentation. You also keep 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, allowing information to be absorbed before next point is articulated. Developing technique of 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 just right word.

Think of your presentation as vintage wine being poured into small wine glasses of your audience's retention. You cannot pour constantly, or much of wine will spill on table. Stop pouring for about two seconds to permit another glass to be placed under bottle.

There are a number of other rhetorical devices, but 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.