Publisher's Synopsis
In a dark and dusty barn, a wise leader sits ensconced on a bed of straw, partially illuminated by a lantern. He is nearing the end of his life but, even in old age, retains a look of majesty. The barn is a sea of expectant faces. Everyone has gathered to hear what this respected elder has to say. Although they don't yet know it, this is to be his last public appearance and the words he's about to utter will not only inspire a generation, they will incite a revolution... This leader is no ordinary man. In fact, he isn't a man at all. He's a pig. And not just any old hog: he's a prize-winning porker and he can talk...
Our journey into The Art of Public Speaking begins with a fascinating analysis of Old Major's speech from Animal Farm. But why de-construct a speech made by a fictional pig more than half a century ago? Because, in this speech, Old Major dispenses an armoury of linguistic weaponry...a succession of rhetorical devices which continue to pepper politicians' speeches to this very day. As such, his speech is one from which all leaders can learn.
As well as opening the hood on a series of great speeches to examine what makes them work, this book also explores:
- Numerous mnemonics to help you remember the components of a great speech
- Countless examples explaining how persuasive devices can be used in practice
- Memorable frameworks to help you structure your speech for maximum impact
- Tips on how to harness the power of non-verbal communications inc. body language & voice quality
This book combines all the theory (from Aristotle to Quintilian) with practical resources to help you get started on your own inspirational speech. It's got something for everyone: it dips its toe in the art of rhetoric by explaining - in simple, colloquial terms - how the most common persuasive devices work, and swims out further into the sea of figurative language to examine its lofty origins in Ancient Greece.
From anadiplosis to zeugma, and allegory to zoomorphism, this book analyses over 250 language devices perfect for every public speaker. Whether you're a beginner trying to write your first speech or an expert in search of the origins of rhetoric devices, this book has something for you.
