Viewing time: 5 minutes The Write Question is a weekly video podcast about writing that I started in 2017 and that ran, more or less weekly, until April 2022. This is a republication of issue #57, with advice on how to stop verbal tics. The post first ran on May 25/18. Transcript: Welcome to The […]
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Viewing time: 3 minutes 13 seconds The Write Question is a weekly video podcast about writing that I started in 2017 and that ran, more or less weekly, until April 2022. This is a republication of issue #17, on preparing a wedding speech. The post first ran on May 19/17. Transcript: Welcome to The Write Question,
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Reading time: Just over 2 minutes Do you know how to eliminate your verbal tics? It’s not easy but it’s possible. It just takes some commitment and concentration… You don’t need to have Tourette syndrome to have verbal tics. I know because I have such a tic myself: It’s the word Umm. It took me several years
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Reading time: Just over 6 minutes Here is everything I know about how to write a better speech and some detailed thoughts on how to deliver a better one as well…. I love TED talks, and perhaps you do as well, but be aware of the significant problem they’ve created in our society. Everyone now expects all public speakers to
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Reading time: Less than 1 minute Are you interested in becoming a better presenter? Here’s one unusual tip: Leave more ‘holes’ in your speeches… I do a lot of presentations — some in person, the others online. (The online ones are always much harder!) And here is something I’ve always done naturally: Whenever I have
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Reading time: Less than 1 minute This is my weekly installment of “writing about writing,” in which I scan the world to find websites, books and articles to help other writers. Today I discuss a New York Times article about Sarah Palin’s English… I’m predisposed to like articles that make counterintuitive arguments. A particularly interesting
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Reading time: Less than 1 minute If you get nervous about anything — but particularly public speaking or job interviews — then consider trying some power poses… I’ve recently wrapped up a third year as debate club coach for my local high school. I love working with these 25 or so kids! They’re so much
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Reading time: Less than 1 minute Some people call it high rising terminal. But I call it uptalk. And I avoid it…. I have an important question for you: Do you uptalk? What I mean is: do you end every statement sounding as though you’ve just asked a question? If you don’t know what uptalk
Reading time: Less than 2 minutes Looking for the secrets of how to write a better speech? Here are two key ones… I coach a debating team at my local high school. I LOVE this volunteer job because it allows me to connect with teenagers and it lets me teach them a skill that was so formative
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Reading time: About 3 minutes Do you ever forget to do something important? Here is a quick tip to help all speakers and writers improve their memories. It was the woman’s voice. Mellifluous. It made a small thrill run down my spine. She sounded like a college professor, accustomed to speaking to a roomful of
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