DISQUS

Bernie Franks · 1 year ago

Good article, any chance of compiling links to audio of great speeches?

Peter Hoeschele · 1 year ago

check out http://www.americanrhetoric.com/ .. I usually find an interesting speech and read it, or listen to it, as many of the greats are archived, when I feel the need for inspiration before a big speech or forensics meet.

Brett · 1 year ago

@Bernie-

Check out the link Peter provided. And we'll definitely be compiling a list like you mentioned....25 Greatest Speeches of All Time, or something like that. Stay tuned.

Kevin (ReturnToManliness) · 1 year ago

This is an excellent topic. We see examples of UNBELIEVABLE orators right now, but we don't really know how great they are, or will become, until much later.

Obama is one that has the potential to be one of the greats!

Israel · 1 year ago

Damn, you keep coming up with some darn good articles. This one is becoming a favorite. I have printed out the newsletter/sheet from the forum and handed it out to the guys i know. Plus I sent them the link to the site. This is a must read site for men. Must READ.

Brett · 1 year ago

@Israel-

Thanks for your support. I truly appreciate it.

Eric · 1 year ago

I echo the sentiments above. An excellent article. well written. If it were a speech, I have to believe I would have been enthralled (depending on your own oratory skills, Brett).

having said that, do you or anyone reading this belong to a local Toast Master's club? Perhaps I'll take this to the forums. See you there!

Kyle · 1 year ago

This is an excellent subject, and I'm looking forward to the next parts. Definitely a fine trait for a gentleman.

Butch · 1 year ago

I have recently learned to love speaking to a group. I think the love comes after beginning to get good feedback from the audience. Maybe its a love of hearing myself talk :)

But I do have to say, I think people give more respect to a man that can get in front of an audience and speak. Your article sure strengthens that statement!

Definitly a must read.

Marcel · 1 year ago

Great article Brett! You're totally right about public speaking being learnt. I used to be absolutely terrified of speaking in public to the point where my hands and legs would visibly shake. Despite my efforts to combat this by taking a public speaking course when I was 15 in high school, this persisted until recently when I decided to take up a part time job as a tour guide whilst I finish my Master's degree. The absolute worst job for someone terrified of speaking, right? Well, it forced me to swallow my fears pretty quickly because I needed food and that needed money. Money required I speak...and well! Sometimes you've just got to force yourself to do things!

Israel · 1 year ago

@Brett, it is my pleasure.

I have always liked being the center of attention by giving a speech, from childhood, to being the captain of the football team, to being one of the best at what i do for my job. I just like it a lot.

funny tho, I am more of a spontaneous speaker and do better when i dont plan too much in advance. I feel its too "prepared." I like showing emotion, passion, and action!

Plor · 1 year ago

While I agree that FDR brought about a decline in oratory by presidents, but I disagree that Barack Obama is the revival of this, he is but another example of an exception to the trend set by FDR. John F. Kennedy inspired America with his speeches, and Ronald Reagan led the country to defeat communism in part with his great oratory. I think this Obamania is a good thing for the country, but to look at it as unique is a little nearsighted.

Meiji_man · 1 year ago

Well written!

May I suggest taking a public speaking course at your community college?
Or attending your local meeting of Toast Masters? http://www.toastmasters.org/

I had an opportunity once to speak in front of the Salt Lake City Council and crashed and burned so badly I had to stop, apologize to the Counsel for making a complete ass out of myself (yes I used that word), and sit back down. I did get applauded for that though…

Since then I have tried to exercise my speaking skills.

Brett · 1 year ago

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

@Plor-
I agree that Obama doesn't represent a revival of oratory, and is an exception to its general dearth in today's society, the same way that Reagan or JFK was. But I think that is why it gets so much attention-people instinctively love great oratory and want more of it in public life.

@Meiji Man-A great story and an excellent show of humility. Humility is a manly trait as well!

I've thought from time to time about Toastmasters and I'm curious about others' experience with it. I think I'll check out the forum to what people have to say......

Mike · 1 year ago

Great article. The only thing I'd add is that being a good speaker is as much about being a great writer as anything else. And that the only way to get better at both is to practice. Check around in your local area; see if there are any public speaking organizations in the area. My father, normally kind of a wallflower, belongs to a speakers' bureau, and gives speeches on a regular basis on whatever topic moves him. He seems to love it and has become a much better communicator.

Meiji_man · 1 year ago

@Brett
I've Been blessed in my life with many opportunities to exercise that Trait.

Chuck Vosburgh · 1 year ago

Toastmasters changed the course of my life. I was so shy it crippled my career and any are of my life that required oral communication. It was out of desperation that I tried Toastmasters. What I found was a group of people from all walks of life with the common goal of helping each other improve their communication and leadership skills. It took me a few months to get up the nerve to join, but in a years time, I went from pathetically shy to a paid speaker. Sure, it was hard work, but well worth it!

I owe much of my success to Toastmasters and the kind patient people in my local Toastmasters club. Ask some of the people you admire, I'd bet the majority of them have been Toastmasters. If I can get that kind of benefit, you can too.

Easy and Elegant Life · 1 year ago

Do you recall the British officer's speech to his men the evening before they entered into battle during the first Gulf War? "Be terrible in battle and magnanimous in victory." Something like that. Stirring, riveting, stuff.

I've got a CD of Churchill's speeches (from Ben Silver) that are equally riveting to listen to.

Allan White · 1 year ago

Manly, manly, manly. Great topic and post.

I work for Luis Palau, a Christian evangelist who's been on the radio worldwide for over 50 years. The man's memory, logic and humor are sharp as ever (he's 72), and he can wax eloquently on pretty much any topic.

Garr Reynolds of Presentation Zen writes on this topic frequently (in the context of giving great presentations). Definitely worth reading.

I did Forensics/Debate in high school and drama in college - I'm so glad I did. The training was a huge help from the boardroom to the home bible study.

public speaking tips · 1 year ago

hi there,

Toastmasters is one the reason that convert me into who i am now as a public speaking coach.so i highly recommand it for everyone who wants to master this skill.

miragana · 1 year ago

Good day!
It is very informative and has a very good quality in it.
I like it...

www.Squidoo.com/MPI
mliragana.blogspot.com

Thank you very much for your time.

hamzah · 1 year ago

i want to be the best orator

katrina · 1 year ago

i was reading this article and i found it very inspiring

However, while reading it to myself-

it was tiresome to keep on substituting the term 'man'
in the article for 'woman'

Aaron · 11 months ago

“Oratory is the masculine of music.”

-John Atgeld

. . . say that to a real drummer. Like Buddy Rich...

I get the idea, but a blistering musician is in a sense an orator as well. His language is just universal...