Recent Articles in Instruction
April 16, 2024
The Value in Embracing this Fact: Public speaking is a skill
Public Speaking , Instruction , Presentation Tips , Public Speaking Fear
Sure, some people have a talent for presenting to audiences. But every person can learn the skills of public speaking. Here's why that matters for you.
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January 5, 2024
Public Speaking 101: Help for Beginners
Public Speaking , Instruction , Presentation Tips
After a lifetime of avoiding it, imagine you find out you've got to give a presentation. We know you can do it! But where do you begin? Here's a starter guide for getting you on your feet.
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February 27, 2023
Low Expectations and Learning New Skills
Public Speaking , Presentation Tips , Instruction
Giving yourself permission to try new things without being perfect helps you master new presentation skills. Get some tips for how you can lighten up on yourself!
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April 9, 2021
Restarting In-Person Training: We’re Ready to Welcome You
School News , The Buckley Experience , Instruction , Welcome to Camden
Free donuts aren't the only benefit of COVID-19 vaccinations. We're getting back to in-person instruction and resuming our most popular program in Camden!
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February 24, 2021
Voice of the Speaker: Managing your Accent
Vocal Delivery , Strictly Speaking , Public Speaking , Instruction
Does your accent need to be managed? Perhaps, our founder suggests, it should be relished and unleashed!
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October 21, 2019
Crafting a Great Story: Show Don’t Tell
How To , Storytelling , Public Speaking , Instruction
How does one man's tale of shopping for shoes with his wife become a powerful, potentially funny presentation story? It's all in the details...
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October 14, 2019
How To: Make Eye Contact
How To , Instruction , Public Speaking , Resources
Sure, most speakers know they should make eye contact. But are you getting the most out of it when you present? Here's what the best public speakers do...
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September 13, 2019
How To: Project Confidence
How To , Business Communication , Public Speaking , Instruction , Presentation Tips , Public Speaking Fear
Most speakers want to appear confident. When you know what that looks like, you can project a more powerful stage presence—whether you're feeling it or not. Here's how...
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August 9, 2019
How To: Manage Uhs and Ums
How To , Instruction , Presentation Tips , Public Speaking
Crutch words. Filler language. A natural way we all speak. What should you do about the uhs and ums when you're making a presentation? We have a few ideas...
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July 29, 2019
Rhetorical Device of the Month: Adynaton
Rhetorical Devices , Instruction , Public Speaking , Resources
What happens when you super-size your hyperbole? You might get a more memorable expression for your next presentation. A look at flying pigs, whistling crawfish and adynaton...
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July 25, 2019
Michelle Obama: When They Go Low
On This Day , Great Speeches , Public Speaking , Instruction
It's been three years since Michelle Obama spoke at the Democratic National Convention and gave us the line we still quote today. Here's what you can learn from her approach to public speaking...
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May 10, 2019
Questionable Presentation Advice: Count Out Your Points
Public Speaking , Presentation Tips , Instruction
Enumerating your points can help you organize AND help your audience follow along. So why do we always offer this tip with a warning? Four reasons...
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April 3, 2019
Public Speaking Sins: Verbal Flatulence
Cardinal Sins , Strictly Speaking , The Buckley Experience , Instruction
Cut the filler and the false ingratiations. And absolutely no sharing from the stage. From our founder's 10 Cardinal Sins, something he and Kanye West agree on...
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April 2, 2019
Good Panel Discussions: Introducing Panelists
Panel Discussions , Presentation Tips , Instruction
Whether you're a moderator introducing the panel or a panelist instructed to talk about yourself, this simple recipe will help you better connect with the audience at your next panel discussion.
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March 19, 2019
How To: Create a Strong Open for Your Presentation
How To , Public Speaking , Instruction
The golden opportunity: To grab audience attention before they can start checking their phones. Here's a step by step process for determining how a public speaker can open strong.
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March 4, 2019
Good Panel Discussions: The Moderator’s Role
Panel Discussions , Presentation Tips , Instruction , Resources
Asking questions, introducing panelists, sure--but the real job of the moderator is to represent the audience and work on their behalf. What would Oprah do?
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March 2, 2019
Questionable Advice: 'Dumb Down that Presentation'
Public Speaking , Instruction , Presentation Tips
Before you despair over "dumbing down" your presentation, consider how you can be smarter about making complex information accessible.
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February 23, 2019
How To: Take a Stand When Presenting
How To , Resources , Instruction , Public Speaking
"Be sure to put your feet in the right place, then stand firm," said Abraham Lincoln--great advice for public speaking that we take quite literally. Here's why you should, too...
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February 6, 2019
Good Panel Discussions: Tips for Panelists
Panel Discussions , Presentation Tips , Instruction , Resources
You've agreed to take part in a panel discussion. Now what? Dear panelist, here's how to make the most of it...
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January 29, 2019
Improve your Presentations: New options for 2019
The Buckley Experience , Public Speaking , Instruction
We've designed two new open-enrollment courses and a video option for coaching. Learn more about how we can help you advance your public speaking skills and improve your professional presentations...
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January 21, 2019
Questionable Advice Department: Hand out Your PowerPoint in Advance
Resources , Instruction , Presentation Tips , Public Speaking , PowerPoint
Should you give the audience your PowerPoint deck before you present it? Why we question that advice on handouts and what you can do instead...
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January 14, 2019
How to: Use Gestures in a Presentation
How To , Gestures & Body Language , Instruction , Presentation Tips , Public Speaking
Do you talk with your hands? Terrific! Now let's make sure those gestures are saying what you mean...
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January 11, 2019
Rhetorical Device of the Month: Asyndeton
Rhetorical Devices , Resources , Instruction , Just For Fun
No ands or buts, if you use this rhetorical device you can improve the odds that your speech will pack some punch.
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November 29, 2018
Rhetorical Device of the Month: Epizeuxis
Rhetorical Devices , Instruction , Just For Fun
Deliberate repetition is one of the most powerful techniques a public speaker can use. Perhaps that's why there are so many rhetorical devices related to repeating. Here's why this one has us saying "dilly, dilly"...
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November 13, 2018
Questionable Presentation Advice: Smile More
Public Speaking , Presentation Tips , Instruction
Asking a speaker to smile more may earn you a grimace or a frown. Here's how to solve the real problem with speaker engagement and facial expressions...
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November 8, 2018
How To: Calm Public Speaking Nerves
Public Speaking Fear , Public Speaking , Presentation Tips , Instruction , How To
When you feel nervousness coming on, what's a speaker to do? Here's how to manage that I'm-on-next stress and keep nerves from undermining your presentation...
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October 16, 2018
Questionable Presentation Advice: Walk to Engage the Audience
Resources , Public Speaking , Instruction , Presentation Tips
Walk around the room to connect with the audience? Yeah, we've heard that one, too. Before you step in it bigtime, consider our take...
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October 16, 2018
How To: Ask a Rhetorical Question
How To , Instruction , Resources , Presentation Tips
It's a simple technique for engaging audiences, yet many speakers don't make the most of it in presentations. Here's how to ask rhetorical questions that get you somewhere...
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September 10, 2018
Speaking in Public: Reading & Managing the Audience
30th Anniversary , Speaker's Bookshelf , Public Speaking Books , The Buckley Experience , Instruction , Presentation Tips , Speaking in Public
To be unnerved or not to be unnerved? That is the question when facing a murderous room. Tips for how to read audiences and adjust your presentation like a pro...
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September 7, 2018
How to: Format a speech text
How To , Resources , Presentation Tips , Instruction , Public Speaking
Simple formatting changes can make it much easier to give a speech from a written text. Here's what you can do to see almost instant results:
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September 6, 2018
Questionable Presentation Advice: Always Repeat Audience Questions
Resources , Presentation Tips , Instruction , Seen|Read|Heard , Public Speaking
Maybe you've heard this tip for handling Q&A sessions after a speech or presentation: Always repeat the question before you answer it. But it's not that simple...
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August 27, 2018
Rhetorical Device of the Month: Anadiplosis
Public Speaking , Resources , Rhetorical Devices , Just For Fun , The Buckley Experience , Instruction
A rhetorical device put to good use by Yoda, Shakespeare, Malcolm X, and Jay-Z: Here's another way to build a powerful statement through repetition...
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August 19, 2018
Speaking in Public: Posture & First Impressions
Resources , Public Speaking , The Buckley Experience , Public Speaking Books , Speaker's Bookshelf , Instruction , Speaking in Public
A too-casual style can send unintended messages, says our founder. His tips for starting well and standing tall in your next presentation...
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August 10, 2018
Better Stories for Your Next Presentation
Resources , Public Speaking , Three Things , Instruction , Presentation Tips , Storytelling
Personal stories can bring a presentation to life. Apply these easy-to-use writing workshop tips to bring more life to your stories...
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August 7, 2018
Questionable Presentation Advice: Open With a Joke
Resources , Public Speaking , Presentation Tips , Instruction
When well-meaning public speaking advice goes wrong: Why you might not want to open that can of jokes.
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July 27, 2018
Rhetorical Device of the Month: Litotes
Rhetorical Devices , Just For Fun , Resources , Public Speaking , Instruction , The Buckley Experience
With hyperbole the likes of which the world has never seen and "double negative" trending, it's not a bad time to explore understatement and the potential of this rhetorical device for your public speaking...
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July 16, 2018
3 Tips for Better PowerPoint in 30 seconds
Public Speaking , Instruction , Presentation Tips , Three Things , PowerPoint
You can get a better PowerPoint presentation in 30 seconds, just by making a few simple changes. Here's how...
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June 19, 2018
Rhetorical Device of the Month: Synecdoche
Resources , Public Speaking , Just For Fun , Rhetorical Devices , Instruction
The rhetorical device we all love using, whether we know it or not: Here's to more colorful public speaking by way of synecdoche!
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June 5, 2018
Using Quotes in Speeches: Should You?
Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard , Instruction , Presentation Tips , Just For Fun
Should you use a quote in your next speech or presentation? A graduation speech making news for its use of a quote inspires us to weigh in...
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April 18, 2018
3 simple ways to build audience rapport
Three Things , Public Speaking , Instruction , Presentation Tips , Faculty , The Buckley Experience
When the audience likes you, they're more receptive to your presentation. Here are simple ways to win that rapport the next time you speak...
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March 31, 2018
Books for Speakers: Woe Is I
Public Speaking Books , Speaker's Bookshelf , Instruction , Presentation Tips , Resources
One of our favorite guides--smart, easy to follow, and full of fun (yes, really) without any of the harmful side effects that caused you to doze off in middle school...
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March 23, 2018
Rhetorical Device of the Month: Enallage
Resources , Instruction , Rhetorical Devices
Should you ignore the rules of grammar in order to make a memorable statement in your next business presentation? Our rhetorical device of the month says it ain't such a bad idea....
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February 2, 2018
Books for Speakers: On Speaking Well
Speaker's Bookshelf , Public Speaking , Resources , Instruction , Public Speaking Books
Oprah's speech at The Golden Globes has our students asking "How did she do that?" Peggy Noonan's excellent book offers some insight...
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January 5, 2018
Speaking in Public: A Grab Bag of Tips
Public Speaking , The Buckley Experience , Speaker's Bookshelf , Public Speaking Books , 30th Anniversary , Instruction , Resources , Speaking in Public
Reid Buckley launched our school with the Executive Seminar and his first book on speaking. As we mark our 30th anniversary, we're publishing excerpts from "Speaking in Public" each month, starting with his infamous guide to color-coding....
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January 3, 2018
Books for Speakers: Presentation Zen
Speaker's Bookshelf , Instruction , Resources , Public Speaking Books , PowerPoint
PowerPoint. Love it? This book's for you. Hate it? This book is REALLY for you.
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January 2, 2018
Public Speaking in 2018: Calendar of Classes
Public Speaking , Instruction , The Buckley Experience , School News
Our public speaking and presentation skills course schedule, with new programs for Buckley School alum....
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December 14, 2017
Star Wars and the Force of Simple Words
Seen|Read|Heard , Instruction , Public Speaking , Just For Fun
Does the power of Star Wars lie in its use of simple words? Can you channel that force to improve your writing and speaking? Here's what your dictionary is telling you....
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December 2, 2017
Books for Speakers: Rhetoric & Persuasion
Speaker's Bookshelf , Instruction , Seen|Read|Heard
Some help to develop your rhetorical superpowers with lessons from Aristotle, Lincoln and Homer (Simpson)...
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November 22, 2017
With Gratitude: Thoughts on saying thanks in your next speech
Presentation Tips , Public Speaking , Instruction , Etiquette
Audiences appreciate a courteous speaker, but what's the secret to conveying genuine gratitude? Our ideas about the best ways to say thank you in a speech...
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November 2, 2017
Books for Speakers: Made to Stick
Speaker's Bookshelf , Instruction , Seen|Read|Heard , Storytelling
Can we recommend a book on speaking? A frequent question--and yes, we can. Quite a few...
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September 30, 2017
December Session Added to Course Calendar
Public Speaking , The Buckley Experience , Instruction
If presentation skills training is on your 2017 to-do list, we've got just the public speaking seminar for you....
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September 1, 2017
Poem to Read Aloud: Hopkins & Sprung Rhythm
Poems to Read Aloud , The Buckley Experience , Instruction
Glory be to God for Gerard Manley Hopkins, who produced one of our favorite poems to read aloud.
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July 27, 2017
Better Answers for Your Next Q&A
Resources , Three Things , Presentation Tips , Instruction
"I know from my own experience," says Buckley coach Jenny Maxwell, "that the more you stand up and practice answering questions, the better you get at it." Here are some tips for your next presentation, drawn from our onsite training with companies...
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July 8, 2017
New Courses: Presentations & Advanced Speaking
School News , Instruction , The Buckley Experience
Because our Executive Seminar graduates tell us they want more, we're adding two new open-enrollment courses beginning this fall...
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July 1, 2017
Declaration of Organization: Help from a Founding Document
Instruction , The Buckley Experience , Resources , Public Speaking Books
Analyzing how The Declaration of Independence is organized can aid your pursuit of happiness as a speaker...
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April 19, 2017
Facilitating Techniques for Speakers
Public Speaking , Faculty , Three Things , Instruction , Presentation Tips
Managing the audience and working toward agreement are two of the skills an expert facilitator will master. Buckley coach Katie Pope shares how her experiences as a facilitator can help your next presentation.
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April 4, 2017
Accent for...the win?
Public Speaking , Vocal Delivery , Seen|Read|Heard , Instruction , Just For Fun
"Do I need to change my accent?" It’s a question Buckley faculty are asked all the time. If you listen to this year’s NCAA national basketball champs, you'll hear why our answer is “no.”
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April 1, 2017
Lessons from Coaching Youth Debate
Public Speaking , Faculty , Three Things , Instruction , Presentation Tips
"Speaking is like sports. It's all about muscle memory," says Buckley faculty Jana Daley, who volunteers as a high school debate team coach. She shares three things she's learned that can help any speaker.
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March 16, 2017
Deliberate Practice for Better Speaking
Resources , Instruction , Presentation Tips , The Buckley Experience , Seen|Read|Heard
What do a great orator of Ancient Greece and the queen of popular music have in common? And how can they help you improve your public speaking? Learning expert Eduardo Briceño says it's all about the power of deliberate practice.
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February 17, 2017
Frederick Douglass and The Columbian Orator
Resources , Instruction , Seen|Read|Heard , Speaker's Bookshelf
It’s rare, but every once in a while we do work with someone who brings along a copy of The Columbian Orator. Frederick Douglass began developing his skills as a speaker by reading this popular 19th century textbook. He bought the book while he was still enslaved, a boy of 12 or 13. It was the first book he'd ever owned.
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February 5, 2017
Can We Keep PowerPoint Under Control?
Instruction , Presentation Tips , Just For Fun , PowerPoint
"Just Say No to PowerPoint Week" is Feb. 5-11, but it's a campaign the U.S. Military has tried to implement every day for years. Buckley faculty member Jenny Maxwell says that while every presenter can't say "no" completely, there are ways to limit the damage.
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