Public speaking is so dynamic with the style of speaking changing according to the times and needs of the listeners. Every speaker is different, and even the listeners are different. They vary from culture to culture, from country to country.
Most books on public speaking are published in the United States for Americans. Yet these books are widely sold and read by readers all over the world. This is also a unique way of exporting American culture to the East.
An American started Toastmasters International in 1924 and the movement has spread across the world. It is a worldwide organisation with its headquarters in Los Angeles. Worldwide there are about 9,000 Toastmasters Clubs and about 190,000 members. The majority of the clubs are in North America and there is great potential of growth in Asia. As the standard of living improves, with economic growth, more and more people begin to seek personal growth and development. Public speaking has come into the lives of top executives and people begin to associate leadership with public speaking.
This book consists of twenty chapters. While each chapter is independent, it can also be linked with other chapters. These chapters can be grouped into six sections.
| Part 2 | Chapters 1 to 5 are on the preparation of a speech. |
| Part 3 | Chapters 6 to 9 are on the approach to different types of speeches |
| Part 4 | Chapters 10 to 14 are on modes of communication |
| Part 1 | Chapters 15 to 19 are on styles of speaking. |
| Part 5 | Chapter 20 is about Toastmasters International and public speaking. |
This is an universal book on public speaking. Examples quoted are from the West and the East. While there are cultural differences between West and East, sometimes there are similarities in the culture of public speaking.
I have learnt much through my years of speaking; the more you speak the better you are, provided you receive feedback instantly from someone who is knowledgeable in oral communication. Eventually you will develop your own style of presentation and people will identify you with that unique style of yours. Remember, your name is your brand. An important brand carries a premium.
Have fun in speaking but take communication seriously.
Happy reading… 
There is a dearth of works on the use of rhetoric in writing and speaking. As I search for this category of books in the bookshops, libraries and internets, I could not find the one that suited my appetite. Thus, the search for knowledge gives birth to this book.
From my experience in public speaking, very few speakers understand rhetoric and rhetorical devices. Many of them applied rhetorical devices in their speeches without realising that those words and phrases they used were rhetoric.
Though rhetoric was born some 2400 years ago in Athens; it had spread across to Rome and then to other European countries. If you look at the Bible; there is no shortage of rhetoric. Despite historical evidence of rhetoric in ancient times, rhetoric has not progress since that time. Shakespeare had found effectiveness of rhetoric in all his works
In this modern era, there is a resurgence of public speaking; leaders want to speak; leaders want to impress; leaders want to win.
With IT looming high, information is readily available, we can access to speeches and news around the world. The election of Barack Obama as the most important person in the world has given rise to the importance of speaking and persuading.
With “Rhetorically Speaking and Writing” we can understand rhetorical devices better, we can use rhetorical devices to our speaking and writing, and we can give a twist to our speech and prose.
This book is compiled into FIVE parts.
- The first part is about the theory, history and the categories of rhetorical devices.
- The second part is about the division of different types of rhetorical devices and differentiation of each type of rhetorical devices and how these are being applied in speaking and writing.
- The third part is music in a speech, we can make a speech like a song which is easy to render and remember.
- The fourth part is the application of rhetoric in speeches and writing. I have introduced various types of speeches from different speakers to show the readers the significance of rhetoric in speeches.
- The final part is the last chapter of the book – a chapter on George Carlin, a very special comedian who died recently, he had a reference book in his head; his jokes are all about environment, culture and politics. The way he arranged the presentation and words had given rise to rhetoric. I hope this book will bring a new dimension to the usage of rhetoric in our daily lives – like speaking and writing with a purpose to influence.
This is a 400 pages of public speaking book. A gem for speech writers who desire to apply rhetoric in speech and use it effectively.