Many will have seen, enjoyed and applauded Oprah Winfrey’s speech at last week’s Golden Globes, but what are some of the elements that made it so powerful?
Many will have seen, enjoyed and applauded Oprah Winfrey’s speech at last week’s Golden Globes, but what are some of the elements that made it so powerful?
We have been making a recruiting video. Discover why I started TLNet and some of the joys of teaching.
I am always delighted to work with the training arm of Confindustria SFC.
Check out what happened when we designed and ran a one-day presenting skills course for young entrepreneurs.
I am often bored by or cringe at awards acceptance speeches but this measured and quietly passionate piece from Peter Kosminksy at this week’s BAFTAS is well worth watching. Why is it so effective?
This is what is possible in a couple of minutes.
First things to notice in this conclusion is the use of voice: slower tempo, variations in volume, enunciation (the way words are pronounced and syllables emphasised.
Then the body language: the audience is now his own colleagues. He turns and faces them, the wagging finger at the same time emphasising and admonishing. He looks down to check notes but the messages and head are up for delivery.
He draws on a biblical source (the good samaritan) for his analogy and calls for colleagues to show a sense of (christian?) duty.
Repetition: count the number of uses of the word “contempt”.
Voice – volume: “What we know about fascists is that they need to be defeated” (almost a whisper).
And then the finale building to his statement of support for the motion encouraging his colleagues to do the same.
Too many presenters dive straight into the middle, technical section of their presentation either through fear or lack of preparation. If you don’t target your language for the audience in front of you it will be very difficult for them to respond to your objective.
An audience needs to understand the benefits in their reality of what you are telling them.
Try these tips:
In the clip, Robin Williams, as a doctor has too much technical information at his fingertips for the audience. How does he manage to change tack and get the hospital patrons to pull out their cheque books?
So much language spoken and written is so tied up in itself that simplicity disappears. Long words, invented words, redundant words flap around aimlessly and what is meant is so often not understood.
I remember Brideshead so well from so many years ago. Apologies for the sick but enjoy the explanation for Sebastian’s poor health and Charles’s “yes”.
If you want inspiration you don’t need to look much further than this.
It says everything that is good about the creativity, passion and resilience of young Italians.
Watch to the end and listen to the organiser’s speech!
It brings goosebumps to watch parts of this performance.
The election battle is a media game where every sound bite is calculated, every message polished until it burns and where every slip sets you up to be pilloried and massacred by your opponents and the ever vigilant media.
Sky has put all this into perspective with a delightful send up of Cameron, Miliband and Farage.
Immense credit to whoever had the idea, who chose the song and then the technicians who made it happen.
It is the part of Sky’s election coverage that I look forward to most!
This video show a series of clips from last night’s TV debates.
Notice the mix of data, facts and statistics balanced with emotion, personal promises and attempts to paint a vision of the future.
Which parts are moments of pathos, logos and ethos?
Who do you find the most convincing? Who would you trust?