The Lost Art of the Great Speech: How to Write One--How to Deliver It

by Richard Dowis

Learn how to give powerful, on-target speeches that capture an audience's attention and drive home a message. Splashy slides, confident body language, and a lot of eye contact are fine and well. However, if a speech is rambling, illogical, or just plain boring, the impact will be lost. The key is not just in the delivery techniques, but in tapping into the power of language. Prepared by award-winning writer and journalist Richard Dowis, The Lost Art of the Great Speech covers every essential element of a great speech, Plus, this authoritative speech-writing guide includes excerpts from some of history's most memorable speeches--eloquent words to contemplate and emulate. Discover how to not only write a great speech, but also how to deliver it even better.

Genres: Nonfiction, Leadership, Writing, Communication, Politics, Reference, Self Help

288 pages, Paperback

First published October 5, 1999

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't judge this book by it's cover OR formatting. It comes across as dry and textbook-like at first, but once you get into it you realize that it really makes good points and is full of good examples. Recommend chapters 9 and 10 for an AP Lang class.

My main Issue with the book is that, with a few small exceptions, all examples given are male white politicians.

[Jeff Swystun · Rating 4 out of 5]

John F. Kennedy said of Winston Churchill, "He mobilized the English language and sent it into battle." With "The Lost Art of the Great Speech", Author Richard Dowis has written the strategy for the entire war. This book delivers much more content than one can digest at one or even two readings. You can tell that Dowis believes that speech has the power to change the world. This must have been forged in his earlier days when writing for marketing and public relations.

He certainly does not hold back on valuable content. The book is populated with checklists, helpful quotes, copious examples and historic speeches made relevant through the author's analysis. This last feature was a bit draggy for me proving that it is impossible to please everyone in speech or in a book. Nevertheless, there is amazing material here told with passion. Dowis shares long helpful tracts and quick bon mots:

- Self confidence is essential
- A good speech relies on anecdotes and human-interest examples to carry its message
- A strong speech or presentation entertains, informs and inspires

It should be noted that "speech" is synonymous with "presentation" within the book. That is why I recommend it for anyone in business. You will find application for every manner of presentation whether it be at a conference, sales pitch, or employee town hall. I have spoken at over 115 events in more than 20 countries and I always learn something new each time. I expect this book will become a much thumbed reference guide as I strive to entertain, inform and inspire audiences.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most speech writing books are generally the same. What sets this one apart are the examples of great speeches at the end of each chapter. I also appreciated that he refrained from getting overly casual or comic with the reader. This book is straightforward with great examples.

[Philip Hoskinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read, great writer.

[Miyon Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative when your are trying to write a speech or deliver one.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

By my reckoning, around 60% of this book is dispensable. Much of the advice concerns such common sense matters as how to make sure the venue is equipped for your needs, or the dangers of using profanity or lewd remarks in your speech.

Additionally, much of the book felt like it was aimed at people preparing to give a speech in a commercial setting, rather than an educational or political occasion—although most of the advice transfers across contexts fairly well. It was a bit frustrating that each chapter ends with one of history's truly great speeches (although, with a bias towards US presidential addresses), and yet the points in each chapter's interior are usually supported with more pedestrian examples from executive addresses.

But strip these things away and there is a kernel of useful advice, especially around the use of rhetorical techniques and body language in speaking. This advice is presented in a format that looks more like a textbook than a self-help book. That's a good thing! If you are serious about improving your public speaking then you should approach it like a serious learning task than an ailment to be cured by the self-help industry's snake oil. I also appreciated some clever tips about formatting printed notes for a speech.

So, by all means give this book a look. But be ready to skim over those parts of least interest.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book takes the reader on a life long journey of faith as experienced first hand by Billy -- He shares insights and experiences from all vantage points of the life experience and builds a solid case for living by FAITH --

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the only book you need for basic speech preparation. Lewis covers everything from structure to grammar rules. Keep a notepad handy as you read to keep the important parts marked for later. Not something you will read all at once, it's a reference book.

[Weavre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful advice, and fun to read.

[Brenden]

The Lost Art of the Great Speech: How to Write One--How to Deliver It by Richard Dowis (1999)

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book going through the basics of speech-writing and delivery.

It contains a lot of common sense advice and examples of great speeches. As well as a checklist for the speech writer.

[➰ David Nicklas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed it-

[Tony Y]

Though some parts seem obvious, it provides valuable examples and encourages you to follow along and make your own examples. I will be using the tools in this book not only in speeches, but also in blogposts, emails, and day-to-day dialogue.