Recent Articles in Just For Fun
June 1, 2023
Limericks to Help Your Public Speaking: Lear for comic timing
Poems to Read Aloud , Just For Fun , The Buckley Experience , Resources
Reading poetry out loud is a great way to enhance your presentation skills. See how Edward Lear makes it a lot of fun, too.
Read More ⟶
November 2, 2022
Unfriendly Audiences & What Umpires Can Teach Us About Speaking To Them
Public Speaking , Gestures & Body Language , Presentation Tips , Just For Fun
The 2022 Major League Baseball season was the first to require umpires to display public speaking skills. What can we learn from how they tackled the assignment?
Read More ⟶
August 3, 2021
Poem to Read Aloud: Casey at the Bat
Poems to Read Aloud , Resources , Public Speaking , The Buckley Experience , Just For Fun
Comic timing, drama, gestures, and a sneer that curls the lip: Improve your public speaking in every department by reading baseball's favorite poem out loud.
Read More ⟶
December 16, 2020
Rhetorical Device of the Month: Anacoluthon
Rhetorical Devices , Resources , The Buckley Experience , Just For Fun
Want to seem as if you're making your presentation up as you go along? Turns out, rhetoric has a word for that.
Read More ⟶
August 5, 2020
Rhetorical Device of the Month: Diacope
Rhetorical Devices , Just For Fun , The Buckley Experience , Resources , Public Speaking
Dream of having audiences quote lines from your presentations? Maybe this little rhetorical device is just the can of spinach to make your next speech pop...
Read More ⟶
August 2, 2020
Nonsense verse to make a point: Reading Sukumar Ray
Poems to Read Aloud , Resources , Public Speaking , Just For Fun
A king who wants to frame his chocolates? A wack autocrat whacking pumpkins with a bat? A read aloud from poet Sukumar Ray can improve your public speaking--and may be just what we need right now...
Read More ⟶
July 21, 2020
Public Speaking: Tips from Mr. Noodle
Public Speaking , Three Things , Presentation Tips , Just For Fun
What can Sesame Street's goofy Mr. Noodle teach you about public speaking? More than you might think...
Read More ⟶
May 20, 2020
Rhetorical Device of the Month: Zeugma
Rhetorical Devices , Just For Fun , The Buckley Experience , Resources
It's a double entendre that can make your listeners do a double take--which might be just what your message needs! (It can also win you points in Scrabble.) Zoom on over and check it out...
Read More ⟶
February 10, 2020
Paralinguistics: The science behind your presentation skills
Just For Fun , Seen|Read|Heard , Resources , Public Speaking
We give a big thumbs up to gestures in public speaking. Science says there's a reason we're fans of talking with our hands...
Read More ⟶
February 3, 2020
Love & Friendship: A Poem to Help Your Public Speaking
Poems to Read Aloud , Resources , Public Speaking , The Buckley Experience , Just For Fun
Reading this one aloud will give your diction and enunciation a boost. It might also improve your friendships!
Read More ⟶
December 18, 2019
Public Speaking Sins: Following George Will
Cardinal Sins , Strictly Speaking , Presentation Tips , The Buckley Experience , Just For Fun
Reid Buckley's 10 Cardinal Sins stretched out to 11--thanks to George Will. A few words of wisdom for those times when you have to follow a rock star...
Read More ⟶
December 16, 2019
Rhetorical Device of the Month: Anastrophe
Rhetorical Devices , Just For Fun , The Buckley Experience
Churchill may have employed it first, in a galaxy not that far away, but no one has done more to popularize this speaking technique than the wise green guy with the pointy ears...
Read More ⟶
December 12, 2019
PowerPoint: How Much Will They Love This Pitch?
PowerPoint , Seen|Read|Heard , Just For Fun
Will PowerPoint pitch parties replace Tinder, well-meaning aunts, and blind dates? You may not find your perfect match, but at least you can practice your presentation skills...
Read More ⟶
December 3, 2019
Questionable Presentation Advice: Never use profanity
Presentation Tips , Just For Fun , Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard
Is there ever a dang good reason to let loose with a four-letter word in a speech or presentation? Here's a look at the science and strategy of the well-chosen word...
Read More ⟶
December 2, 2019
Poems to Help Your Public Speaking: An e.e. cummings christmas
Poems to Read Aloud , The Buckley Experience , Resources , Just For Fun
Reading poetry out loud can help improve your timing, phrasing and expressiveness when presenting. Here's a poem to accomplish all that AND help you get the season started...
Read More ⟶
November 21, 2019
Rhetorical Device of the Month: Pleonasm
Rhetorical Devices , Just For Fun , The Buckley Experience
This year, get more from your Black Friday shopping. As you're out looking for that added bonus or free gift with purchase, see if you can spot our rhetorical device of the month!
Read More ⟶
September 30, 2019
Rhetorical Device of the Month: ASTERISMOS
Rhetorical Devices , Just For Fun , Public Speaking , Resources
Verbal tic of a careless speaker? Or smart tactic to make audiences aware that something worth starring and remembering is coming their way? Behold, asterismos...
Read More ⟶
August 29, 2019
Rhetorical Device of the Month: Antonomasia
Rhetorical Devices , Resources , Public Speaking , Just For Fun
What's in a name? Perhaps a lot more when you employ this rhetorical device in your public speaking. Here's how it's used for good and for evil...
Read More ⟶
June 27, 2019
Rhetorical Device of the Month: Tmesis
Rhetorical Devices , Resources , The Buckley Experience , Just For Fun
Un-friggin-doubtedly, you’ve used this one before. Here’s why that’s probably a fan-blooming-tastic thing…
Read More ⟶
May 30, 2019
Rhetorical Device of the Month: Metanoia
Rhetorical Devices , Resources , Public Speaking , Just For Fun
Want to contrive to sound more spontaneous in a speech?To make a harsh point without having the audience dislike--nay, kill the messenger? Consider using the "backspace" of rhetorical devices...
Read More ⟶
April 25, 2019
Rhetorical Device of the Month: Anthimeria
Rhetorical Devices , Just For Fun , Resources , Public Speaking
It can bring delight. It can make you wince. You can reject it, even return it. See how this rhetorical device "gooses the English language" as we gift you a look at anthimeria...
Read More ⟶
March 18, 2019
March Madness: Some Public Speaking Slam Dunks
Just For Fun , Public Speaking , Resources , Public Speaking Fear , Travel , Presentation Tips
March Madness fans are arriving in our neighborhood, hoping to see Zion Williamson, perhaps unaware they could improve their presentation skills while watching the big games...
Read More ⟶
March 13, 2019
Rhetorical Device of the Month: Tricolon
Rhetorical Devices , Resources , Public Speaking , The Buckley Experience , Just For Fun
What public speaking technique can bring a certain fullness, roundness, or tension to help your message take off? Try this month's rhetorical device...
Read More ⟶
February 5, 2019
State of the Union: Rhetorical Device Bingo
Rhetorical Devices , Just For Fun , Significant Speeches
What rhetorical devices will make their way into the State of the Union address? And will you be able to spot them all? Play Rhetorical Device Bingo with us and see if you're a winner...
Read More ⟶
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.
Read More ⟶
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"...
Read More ⟶
November 28, 2018
Books for Speakers: All the King's Men
Public Speaking Books , Speaker's Bookshelf , Resources , Just For Fun
As the main character changes, so does his public speaking style. What can we learn about persuasive speaking from a novel? Plenty if it's "All the King's Men."
Read More ⟶
November 5, 2018
Public Speaking Lessons from 'The Voice'
Three Things , Just For Fun , Presentation Tips , Seen|Read|Heard , Faculty
Our Buckley coach makes the case for learning presentation skills from a popular TV show and why Taylor Swift would make an excellent public speaking instructor...
Read More ⟶
November 1, 2018
Poems to Help Your Public Speaking: Gwendolyn Brooks
Resources , Just For Fun , Poems to Read Aloud
She was a Pulitzer Prize winner and one of the most influential poets of the 20th century. She's also helping you improve your presentation skills with this month's poem to read aloud...
Read More ⟶
October 30, 2018
Paranomasia: How punny is that?
Rhetorical Devices , Resources , The Buckley Experience , Just For Fun
That queasy feeling you get when you hear a corny pun in a speech? Our rhetorical device of the month diagnosis: Looks like a case of paranomasia.
Read More ⟶
September 26, 2018
Rhetorical Device of the Month: Dysphemism
Rhetorical Devices , Just For Fun , Resources , Public Speaking
If a euphemism is a substitution that softens an expression, then the opposite of that would be...our latest rhetorical device of the month.
Read More ⟶
September 8, 2018
Asheville: An Arts Adventure
Travel , Faculty , Just For Fun
Visiting with artists, touring studios, and seeing raku pottery pulled from a flaming trashcan fired up our imaginations during a tour of Asheville's River Arts District...
Read More ⟶
September 1, 2018
A Poem to Help Your Public Speaking: September Midnight
Public Speaking , Poems to Read Aloud , Just For Fun , The Buckley Experience , Resources
Like a late-night espresso to awaken even the laziest enunciation, we serve up these lines from poet Sara Teasdale to read aloud...
Read More ⟶
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...
Read More ⟶
August 1, 2018
Poems to Help Your Public Speaking: Hardy's August Midnight
Poems to Read Aloud , Resources , Public Speaking , Just For Fun , The Buckley Experience
Delight Potter fans, bee enthusiasts--and improve your public speaking through attention to cadence and timing--with a little help from Thomas Hardy and this month's poem to read aloud.
Read More ⟶
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...
Read More ⟶
June 25, 2018
Top Advisors, Election Wins & More: Buckley Friends in the News
Alumni , Seen|Read|Heard , Just For Fun , School News , Faculty
From top sheets to top positions, these Buckley alumni and faculty are using their communication skills to make an impression...
Read More ⟶
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!
Read More ⟶
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...
Read More ⟶
May 21, 2018
Alumni and the Public Speaking Lessons that Stick
Alumni , The Buckley Experience , Just For Fun , 30th Anniversary
Public speaking breakthroughs, lifelong friendships, and the inimitable style of our founder: Buckley alum share memories and their favorite presentation tips...
Read More ⟶
March 9, 2018
Standing Up to Public Speaking Fears
Resources , Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard , Three Things , Just For Fun , Presentation Tips
When a hospital administrator wanted to give her career a boost, she had to overcome her fear of public speaking. So she took on an even scarier challenge. Should you?
Read More ⟶
February 12, 2018
A Few Hours for Fun in Columbia, S.C.
Travel , Just For Fun , The Buckley Experience
Traveling to our Executive Seminar in Camden often brings our students through South Carolina's capital city. Some ideas for what to do when you're passing through...
Read More ⟶
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....
Read More ⟶
December 5, 2017
Sheepish Speaker Overcomes Nerves
Public Speaking Fear , Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard , Just For Fun
Two secrets for conquering public speaking nerves that New Zealand's champion sheep judges learn--and you can use them, too.
Read More ⟶
December 1, 2017
Read Aloud: Some Brillig Nonsense
Poems to Read Aloud , The Buckley Experience , Just For Fun
Relieve holiday stress and stretch your public speaking delivery--with Lewis Carroll's verse....
Read More ⟶
December 1, 2017
Mountains, City: Enjoying Salt Lake
Travel , Faculty , Just For Fun
If work takes you to Salt Lake City, how can you use your spare hours to see the sights and find some fun? From local beers to "Brigham Young was here," our coaches report...
Read More ⟶
November 27, 2017
Down on the Corner: Guitars & Nashville Stars
Welcome to Camden , Just For Fun , The Buckley Experience
Take a lesson, buy a guitar, sing your blues or brush up against a little bit of Nashville in Camden at Davis & Sons....
Read More ⟶
October 25, 2017
Storytelling Tips via Camden's Most Famous Ghost
Welcome to Camden , The Buckley Experience , Just For Fun , Presentation Tips , Storytelling
Like any good ghost story, this one gets at least some of its staying power from techniques that you can use, too.
Read More ⟶
October 4, 2017
Improv to Help Your Public Speaking
Three Things , Faculty , Presentation Tips , Just For Fun
You don't have to be an aspiring Second City cast member to benefit from giving improv a try. Here's what our Jenny Maxwell discovered...
Read More ⟶
October 1, 2017
Better than Pumpkin Spice: October's Read Aloud
Resources , The Buckley Experience , Poems to Read Aloud , Just For Fun
A few lines to help you develop those all-important spooky vocal tones, just in time for Halloween...
Read More ⟶
September 5, 2017
A Golden State for Bookstores
Favorite Bookstores , Travel , Just For Fun , Faculty
Buckley faculty member Caroline Lord has been posting photos from L.A. on Instagram. It got us thinking about our favorite bookstores in California...
Read More ⟶
September 2, 2017
Time to Dine in Minneapolis
Travel , Just For Fun
Even a busy week of work leaves a little time for finding a good restaurant..or two. Last month, Buckley coach Jenny Maxwell searched out a couple of gems.
Read More ⟶
July 10, 2017
Wrestling with Speaking Skills
Faculty , Seen|Read|Heard , Just For Fun
Public speaking lessons at a professional wrestling camp? Yes, everyone--even the Chainsaw King--benefits from better presentation skills....
Read More ⟶
June 26, 2017
Boykin: Gators, Grits & World Famous Dogs
Welcome to Camden , The Buckley Experience , Just For Fun , Travel
This little community on a large mill pond east of Camden has a big time reputation for good food, wildlife, history, quirkiness--and a special breed of dog.
Read More ⟶
June 22, 2017
Speaker’s Best Friend: Talk to the Dog
Faculty , Seen|Read|Heard , Just For Fun , Resources , Public Speaking
Inspired by American University's "audience dogs," our Buckley staff evaluate the benefits of practicing speeches with their canines.
Read More ⟶
June 1, 2017
Favorite Bookstores: Quirky, Beautiful, Charming
Travel , Seen|Read|Heard , Just For Fun , Favorite Bookstores
Buckley staff have been trading lists of favorite bookstores. Here are a few from the mixed-up files of our kid lit loving Jenny Maxwell...
Read More ⟶
May 26, 2017
Where to find Camden's best burgers
Welcome to Camden , Just For Fun , Travel
In honor of National Burger Day, we're giving you our insider tips on where to find Camden's best "hamburger on bread" and more....
Read More ⟶
May 8, 2017
Favorite Bookstores: London Calling
Faculty , Seen|Read|Heard , Just For Fun , Travel , Favorite Bookstores
When book lovers around the country celebrated Independent Bookstore Day, it got us thinking: What are our favorite bookstores? The answer takes us to London...
Read More ⟶
May 1, 2017
See & Do in Dallas
Travel , Just For Fun
Dallas has more to offer than we can possibly see in one visit--which is one more reason we're happy when clients bring us to town. Here are a few things we've discovered in our after-work hours that you might enjoy...
Read More ⟶
April 24, 2017
What a Puppet Show Can Teach You About Presenting
Faculty , Just For Fun , Presentation Tips , Storytelling
They took a chance on entering a puppet slam: Here's what Buckley coaches Alejandro Garcia and Jenny Maxwell learned that can help your presentations.
Read More ⟶
April 14, 2017
The Scoop on Public Speaking: About that Lectern
Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard , Just For Fun , Presentation Tips
Bernie Sanders speaking from a pint of Ben & Jerry's has us thinking about some of the crazy things people believe about using lecterns--and the advice we give.
Read More ⟶
April 11, 2017
Poems in your Pockets & Verse for Every Month
Resources , Public Speaking , Presentation Tips , Just For Fun , The Buckley Experience , Poems to Read Aloud
Years before there was National Poetry Month, The Buckley School was encouraging students of speaking to read poems aloud. Here's a little more about how you should and--with some help from Bill Murray--why it can even be fun.
Read More ⟶
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.”
Read More ⟶
March 23, 2017
Speaking of March Madness
Public Speaking , Faculty , Just For Fun , Seen|Read|Heard
March Madness--yes, we have it at The Buckley School. And when it comes to winning and losing this year, you might even say "this time, it's personal."
Read More ⟶
March 13, 2017
Camden's Steeplechase Run
Welcome to Camden , Just For Fun
From polo fields to film festivals, horses are a big part of life in Camden. But to many, steeplechase is the premier event with a history that makes Camden steeplechase special.
Read More ⟶
February 16, 2017
National Jell-O Week Hits Home
Welcome to Camden , Faculty , Just For Fun
It may or may not be America’s most famous dessert these days, but it’s hard to imagine a Southern congealed salad without it. And J-E-L-L-O has a special connection to Camden and our Buckley school staff.
Read More ⟶
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.
Read More ⟶
January 24, 2017
Little Speaker, Big Presence
Seen|Read|Heard , Public Speaking , Just For Fun
It's hard to beat a speaker who cares about her message and throws herself into delivering it--as demonstrated by eight-year-old "book girl" Madison.
Read More ⟶
January 23, 2017
Longest Speech--Ever!
Just For Fun , Seen|Read|Heard , Public Speaking
You may think you've endured the world's longest speech--but chances are you haven't. Because this guy set a record for speaking more than 53 hours. And there's something we can learn from that.
Read More ⟶
January 3, 2017
Descriptive Gestures and the Next U.S. President
Gestures & Body Language , Public Speaking , Just For Fun
How many descriptive gestures do you use in a speech? Bloomberg Politics tracked a speech by Donald Trump and documented more than 70 different gestures. Take a look at what they found.
Read More ⟶