Public Speaking - Let's Do It!

The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking

by Dale Carnegie

Reviewed by Aaron DeWeese

Dale Carengie's straightforward down to earth style is refreshing and impressive. His fondness for the anecdotal is reminiscent of that great American which Carnegie so often quotes - Abraham Lincoln. Others of Carnegie's favorite go to men include Jesus and the Word, Professor William James, Franklin Delano Rossevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Winston Churchill, Norman Vincent Peale and Confucius. Most illuminating however are the examples of speech given from people of all walks of life who have taken Carnegie's courses, viz., politicians, businessmen, stay-at-home mothers and various reformed introverts.

"Effective Speaking" is exquisitely outlined, from "Acquiring the Basic Skills" all the way through to "Applying What You Have Learned". Carnegie comes across not as some self-help guru with a self-formulated system for success, but rather Carnegie seems a close friend and mentor who shares his intimate knowledge in earnest with the reader; knowledge which is a culmination of common sense and experience, which all see as practicable and of great value.

What is it exactly that I have learned? Begin in medias res - jump into the action, and do so passionately. As Carnegie does, speak from experience. Be excited about your topic. Never attempt to memorize a speech. Always prepare beforehand, amassing much more information than you could possibly use. As Aristotle said, "Think as Wise men do, but speak as common people do.

Carnegie has settled a conundrum I was facing. I had my paper written out in literary form and fashion. How to deliver it? The answer is to NOT READ IT. Become so familiar with it, that you can speak knowledgeably, hitting all points, simply from basic notes. One must be human when speaking publicly, addressing the audience as one would a single conversant.

I read this in preparation for giving my testimony to my church's youth group. That's coming up in 17 days. In that time, I will abide by the rules of this book in the construction of my testimony. I think it will go well. The most important concept Carnegie relays to the reader is to own confidence. One must have the confidence that one will become an effective speaker, and within the contents of this book, success is guaranteed. I cannot fail! If my speech doesn't go over to good, I must seek out the next opportunity and put my heart and mind into it!