Misplaced passion

In response to those of you who have asked me to weigh in on the speeches and speaking our current Presidential candidates, this month's column offers a quick take. Doubtless more detailed analysis will follow, when I feel I have some fresh insight to offer!

Don't forget to check here for dates and details of upcoming workshops. If you can't attend offsite, send me an e-mail and we can discuss how I can bring it to you.

Tips you can use!

Build in the white spaces

Format your speech with a double-space return between sections. That way you can visually scan your text and know that a shift to the next point is coming up. Make your pause in between a tad longer, signaling to the audience that you're wrapping up one point and transitioning to another. Use this breathing break to create a signpost--like an auditory road map.

Away with "so"

If you are leaning on "so" as a crutch to start all your sentences: stop! This little gem came in #1 on this year's List of Banished Words. I have never liked it, and am glad to see others agreeing that its overuse has become a supremely annoying verbal tic.

Take care of yourself

It's finally winter, so you need to take extra care not to catch whatever is going around. Get plenty of sleep. Exercise daily. Eat a balanced diet. Hydrate. Get a flu shot. Maybe you won't need any of your sick days this year!

artwork: Political Drama (1914) by Robert Delaunay, courtesy National Gallery of Art