As a speaker or speechwriter, you will not always have exciting topics that make it easy to keep the audience’s attention. Sometimes, you have to write and/or give a speech about something that, at least on a surface level, appears entirely dull. When this happens, do not feel discouraged. Even the most boring of topics…
Many people offer advice about how to succeed in speechwriting and delivery. But how often do you hear advice for what to do when you fail? I’m sure we’ve all told a joke that fell flat, stammered, or done something embarrassing in front of a crowd. While there is no way to ensure perfection, there…
It’s my favorite time of year for sports: March Madness. At this time, I am also working on writing a few speeches. As I write this post, I am watching Gonzaga and Southern compete in the first round of games. Naturally, my mind began to make connections between the speeches I am writing and the…
There is one type of presentation we all practice on a daily basis: self-presentation. A perfect application for self-presentation is the interview. Whether you’re interviewing for a job or an internship, this checklist can help you walk into the room with confidence. The steps are grouped by how far in advance you should complete them.…
I have seen hundreds of presentations during my time as a student and my former years as a competitive speaker in the National FFA Organization. During that time, I have found a range of nervous habits and distracting mistakes people make throughout presentations. With a little practice, these common errors can be avoided. Here are…
Heather Harder 