Recent Articles in Seen|Read|Heard
February 15, 2024
Think Fast, Talk Smart: A Podcast about Communicating
Resources , Business Communication , Seen|Read|Heard
Looking for another great resource to inspire better communication? We're liking this podcast from Stanford University's graduate business school!
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January 15, 2024
The Evolution of Executive Presence: Positive changes you can make
Business Communication , Presentation Tips , Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard
While ideas about how an executive should look and behave are changing, public speaking and presentation skills are still at the top of everyone's list. See how the evolution of executive presence can work for you.
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December 26, 2023
Spokesperson Update: Little Library Advocate is All Grown Up
Public Speaking , Resources , Seen|Read|Heard
At eight years old, Madison Reid delivered an impromptu message about books that made a big impression. Where is that powerful little speaker today?
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July 10, 2023
Never Give Up: The story behind Jim Valvano’s most memorable speech
Great Speeches , Seen|Read|Heard
Ten years after winning a national championship, college basketball coach Jim Valvano gave a speech that's made a lasting impression. A new ESPN documentary looks at the story behind the speech.
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June 11, 2023
Powerful speaker, enduring messages: Frederick Douglass in Five Speeches
Seen|Read|Heard , Great Speeches , Significant Speeches
Through five speeches given across the span of Frederick Douglass's life, an HBO documentary looks at how a remarkable orator developed his own skills and how his speaking is still relevant today.
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May 4, 2023
Inclusion and Critical Thinking: Choosing to Speak with Simple Words
Public Speaking , Business Communication , Seen|Read|Heard
Need more convincing that simple words are a speaker's friend? A Harvard student makes the case beautifully. See why flaunting a fancy vocabulary may not help you reach your goals.
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February 21, 2022
To be seen as a leader: 'Work on public speaking'
Business Communication , Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard
See why a new study shows that people regarded as leaders aren't necessarily extroverts. They're good communicators.
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January 20, 2022
Zoom Interviews: How Does Your Room Rate?
Media Training , Presentation Tips , Seen|Read|Heard
What can Valerie Bertinelli's library and Claire McCaskill's kitchen teach you about setting up a better-looking Zoom in your home? One Twitter account can make it fun to learn.
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October 6, 2021
Public Speaking Podcasts: Checking out ‘It Was Said’
Public Speaking , Resources , Seen|Read|Heard , Significant Speeches
Influential athletes like Billie Jean King are the focus of season two of 'It Was Said.' More on this podcast series about speeches and why you may find it helps you think about your own public speaking.
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September 9, 2021
How to rescue Presentations drowning in Jargon
Business Communication , Presentation Tips , Seen|Read|Heard
Do audiences understand terms that seem common to you? See what a new report tells us about jargon and how you can speak to be better understood.
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August 31, 2021
Books for Speakers: The Creative Habit
Public Speaking Books , Speaker's Bookshelf , Seen|Read|Heard
Next time you're subjected to a boring presentation, borrow a few steps from choreographer Twyla Tharp and see what takes shape.
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August 23, 2021
Power Posing: Where to find a quick confidence boost
Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard , Public Speaking Fear
From one of the most viewed TED Talks of all time to the most powerful woman on "Ted Lasso," here's a move that can make you a more confident speaker.
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July 25, 2021
FAQ: Acronyms in Speeches?
Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard , How To , Business Communication , Presentation Tips
How should you approach using acronyms in presentations? Like GEICO, we've got something to say about that...
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May 21, 2021
Amelia Earhart speech: A Woman's Place
On This Day , Significant Speeches , Seen|Read|Heard , Public Speaking
She literally set new heights for what women could accomplish--and as a result, was in demand on the lecture tour. Here's an Amelia Earhart speech that can help you consider how to wring the most from your words...
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February 15, 2021
Audience Rapport: Why you want to make them happy
Presentation Tips , PowerPoint , Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard
Could your hard work on a presentation be undermined by poor seating or a bad room set up? It's good to keep the audience happy. Here's what a speaker can do...
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January 22, 2021
How Poetry Helped Amanda Gorman Find Her Speaking Voice
Presentation Tips , Poems to Read Aloud , Seen|Read|Heard
We've long said poetry can help your public speaking. Here's how inauguration poet Amanda Gorman says it helped hers...
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June 30, 2020
Quarantine and the Art of Being Heard
Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard , Three Things
Close quarters. Hot issues. Maybe tried-and-true communication tactics can help you get through to people who aren't listening even when it's for their own good...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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November 25, 2019
How to Handle Questions Designed to Make You Look Bad
How To , Business Communication , Seen|Read|Heard , Presentation Tips
Facing a tough audience for a meeting or presentation? Here's what we can learn from Fiona Hill and how she handled her testimony before members of Congress...
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November 8, 2019
Job Requires Public Speaking: Will you take it?
Public Speaking , Public Speaking Fear , Presentation Tips , Seen|Read|Heard
Will you pass on your dream job if public speaking is required? Here's what you can do if your presentation fears are holding you back...
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October 13, 2019
Public Speaking Nerves: How One High-Profile Speaker Copes
Public Speaking Fear , Seen|Read|Heard , Presentation Tips , Public Speaking
She speaks to large crowds. She's used to hostile audiences. She's known for making bold statements. And she still gets nervous. Here's how this public speaker deals with it and what you can learn...
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September 16, 2019
To Be Repeated: The Stump Speech
Public Speaking , On This Day , Resources , Seen|Read|Heard
What can we learn from a stump about business presentations? How about the power of connecting, the efficiency of creating a consistent message, and the beauty of knowing when to incorporate a twist...
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August 5, 2019
Ditching Jargon to Promote Success
Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard , Faculty , Presentation Tips
Universities are starting to do something about their mind-boggling jargon. Here's how that can help you reassess your own approach to business communication...
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May 26, 2019
Reading Aloud: A shortcut to speaking confidence?
Public Speaking , Public Speaking Fear , Seen|Read|Heard , The Buckley Experience
We know reading aloud improves your public speaking. A barber says it's also a shortcut to conquering your fear. Read how he's helping kids find the courage to speak up.
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May 14, 2019
Speaking Opportunities: Why You Should Take Them!
Seen|Read|Heard , Public Speaking , Resources
If public speaking is stressful, why should you look for every opportunity to present? Yes, practice makes perfect--but there are other good reasons you may not have considered yet...
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May 6, 2019
On this Day: The Real MVP
On This Day , Public Speaking , Great Speeches , Seen|Read|Heard
On this day in 2014, Kevin Durant spoke from the heart to pay tribute to his mother. Here's why serious speakers should give his speech another look, all memes aside...
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April 23, 2019
On this Day: The Man in the Arena
Significant Speeches , On This Day , Great Speeches , Seen|Read|Heard , The Buckley Experience , Presidents Day
Ever wondered if your speech fell flat? Theodore Roosevelt wasn't so sure about this one--though his famous lines have lived on to inspire in a variety of ways.
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April 17, 2019
Debating, Civil Discourse, & Better Public Speaking
Public Speaking , The Buckley Experience , Public Speaking Fear , Seen|Read|Heard
Can building killer arguments lead to more civil conversations? College students on the lessons we can learn from competitive debate...and how it can refine your presentation skills.
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March 1, 2019
Poetry to Read Aloud: Grimké and 'The Kiss'
Poems to Read Aloud , Seen|Read|Heard , Resources , Public Speaking
The first African American woman to have her play produced publicly, Angelina Weld Grimké also wrote more than 170 poems, including this month's lines for you to read aloud...
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January 28, 2019
Winning with Humor: 'Should Men Vote?'
Significant Speeches , On This Day , Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard
Suffragist Nellie McClung was tired of the put downs and excuses, so she used her talents for public speaking and humor to fight back...
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January 5, 2019
Helen Keller's Remarkable Public Speaking
On This Day , Significant Speeches , Seen|Read|Heard , Resources , Public Speaking
We all know Helen Keller as a remarkable person--but how much do you know about her career as a public speaker? On January 5, 1916, 35-year-old Keller spoke at Carnegie Hall...
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December 20, 2018
All I Want for Christmas: PowerPoint to Pitch the Parents
Public Speaking , Presentation Tips , Seen|Read|Heard , PowerPoint
Should Santa be on the lookout for more PowerPoint presentations? Here's how The New York Times says kids are using formal pitches to persuade their parents...
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December 2, 2018
Questionable Presentation Advice: Get the Audience Involved
Public Speaking , Presentation Tips , Seen|Read|Heard
Of course, you want the audience engaged when you're presenting. But before you ask them to close their eyes or get up on their feet, consider this...
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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...
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November 4, 2018
On This Day: Obama 2008 Victory Speech
Significant Speeches , On This Day , Seen|Read|Heard , Presidents Day
Making history with his election 10 years ago, Barack Obama delivered a speech that referenced Martin Luther King, John F. Kennedy and most of all, Abraham Lincoln.
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October 17, 2018
Presenting to Decision Makers: Tips for a Better Pitch
Resources , Presentation Tips , Seen|Read|Heard , Public Speaking
Presenting to the C-Suite or a promising new client is the opportunity you've been working for. Avoid these common mistakes when you make your pitch...
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October 5, 2018
Secret of Public Speaking Success? Debate
Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard , The Buckley Experience
"Igniting change through words." That's a goal of the nation's top-ranked high school public speaker. She shares how participating in debates can make that possible in your presentations...
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September 12, 2018
On This Day: 'We choose to go to the Moon'
Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard , Great Speeches , Significant Speeches , On This Day , Presidents Day
We do these things "not because they are easy, but because they are hard." On this day in 1962, President Kennedy gave a speech with lines that still resonate. What he said, how he said it, and what you can learn about speeches to inspire a vision...
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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 24, 2018
Builders, Explorers & Future Leaders: Buckley Friends Soaring
Alumni , Seen|Read|Heard
Building a better city, promoting presentation skills in young people, and taking the stage in a room where Beethoven performed his most famous work--here's just a little of what our friends have been up to...
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August 20, 2018
'More Public Speaking, Less PowerPoint'
Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard , PowerPoint
The Army is revamping a 40-year-old training program to move away from PowerPoint and toward good, old-fashioned communication skills. Here's why...
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August 18, 2018
Aretha Franklin: Public Speaking Lessons from the Queen
Faculty , Seen|Read|Heard , Public Speaking
Recalling all that she loved about one of her favorite singers, Buckley faculty Katie Pope also realizes Aretha Franklin is a model for becoming an excellent speaker...
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August 13, 2018
Let’s Go There: Your Public Speaking Mindset
Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard , Presentation Tips
Might your dread of public speaking be worse than the experience itself? A look at the connection between mindset and public speaking success...
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July 11, 2018
Questionable Presentation Advice: Speak from the heart
Public Speaking , Resources , Seen|Read|Heard , Presentation Tips , The Buckley Experience
Heard some public speaking advice that made you wonder? Us, too. Here's another take on the old "speak from the heart" tip...
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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...
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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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June 4, 2018
Poems to Help Your Public Speaking: Diction for A June Night
Resources , Poems to Read Aloud , Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard
Her most famous lines are forever connected to the Statue of Liberty. This month's poem to read aloud comes from Emma Lazarus...
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March 30, 2018
Winning Speech, New Book, New Job: Buckley Friends Making News
Alumni , Seen|Read|Heard , The Buckley Experience
We know our Buckley alum enjoy keeping up with each other! A few things that've made their way recently to The Buckley School inbox...
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March 26, 2018
A Woman and History: Camden’s Mary Boykin Chesnut
Welcome to Camden , The Buckley Experience , Seen|Read|Heard , Travel
Her first person account of the Civil War was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. Here's where you can retrace the steps of this woman who both made and wrote history in Camden...
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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?
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January 18, 2018
Speaking with an Accent: Love it or Lose it?
Resources , Seen|Read|Heard , Public Speaking
Should public speakers and presenters try to reduce their accents? As "The World In Words" podcast discovers, it's complicated...
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January 15, 2018
Rhetorical Device of the Month: Anaphora
Seen|Read|Heard , Rhetorical Devices , Public Speaking
It's hard not to think about public speaking and this rhetorical device when we remember and honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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January 4, 2018
Speaking to Lead: Recall what moves you
Public Speaking Fear , Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard , Presentation Tips
She wasn't much of a talker until her job demanded it. Here's how Olympian and once-shy public speaker Dawn Staley finds her voice and how the same technique can help you...
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December 14, 2017
Published, Promoted, Debated: Buckley Friends Making News
Alumni , Faculty , Seen|Read|Heard
Passionate speakers and spirited debate, publications to celebrate, and a toast to the future of historic Charleston....
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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 11, 2017
Rhetorical Device of the Month: Paralipsis
Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard , Faculty , Rhetorical Devices
It's the rhetorical device that let's you be naughty AND nice...and it happens to be a Donald J. Trump favorite...
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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.
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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 20, 2017
Public Speaking Fears: Make A Game Plan
Public Speaking Fear , Seen|Read|Heard , Presentation Tips , Public Speaking
How public speaking tripped him up and what you can learn from Duke's Grayson Allen about handling your nerves...
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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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October 23, 2017
Memory tips to spark your public speaking
Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard , Presentation Tips
Turns out the techniques that improve recall look a lot like the ones we use to help public speakers make their presentations memorable...
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September 3, 2017
Handout Handoff: The ESPN Game Plan
Seen|Read|Heard , Presentation Tips
Do we owe our ESPN GameDay glee to proper use of presentation materials? The network's founder says his timing of handouts was key to a successful pitch. Here's what he did and what you can learn...
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August 28, 2017
The Dream Speech: 54 Years Ago Today
Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard , Significant Speeches , Great Speeches , On This Day
Fifty-four years ago on this day, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered "I Have a Dream" on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Everyone claims to know this speech...but do they really?
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August 14, 2017
Teaching Science to Teens: Lessons for any presentation
Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard , Presentation Tips , Resources
When our faculty Jenny Maxwell heard an NPR feature about teaching science, the discoveries sounded a lot like a Buckley primer for good public speaking....
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July 24, 2017
Video Stars, Award Nabbers & The Mayors' Mayor
Alumni , Seen|Read|Heard , School News , Faculty
Top-rated videos, inaugurations and awards--we know every one of them gave a great speech!
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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....
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July 5, 2017
70th Anniversary for a Barrier Breaker
Welcome to Camden , Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard
Seventy years ago on this day, Camden's Larry Doby became the American League's first African-American baseball player. We take note of his speeches, courage, and poise under pressure...
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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.
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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...
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May 26, 2017
'Oratory is alive and well'
Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard
On May 19, the mayor of New Orleans gave a speech people are still talking about, a reminder of how important and powerful good public speaking can be.
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May 24, 2017
Astronaut, Architects, Overstock leader in the news
Alumni , Seen|Read|Heard
Awards, appointments, ground-breakings, transitions, and at least one book from outer space--here's what some of our alum have been up to lately.
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May 16, 2017
Graduation Speeches, Humor & Personal Experience
Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard , Presentation Tips , Storytelling
Brave souls continue to accept the challenge of delivering commencement addresses. See how two secrets to their success can help you with any speaking assignment.
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May 12, 2017
Speaking Inspired by Lincoln
Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard , Presentation Tips , Presidents Day
A tweet from Ford’s Theatre caught our eye: "Today #FordsOratory students head to the Lincoln Memorial to practice giving their speeches in the footsteps of other great orators!" We had to find out more...
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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...
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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.
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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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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."
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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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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.
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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.
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December 20, 2016
A Delightful Christmas List
Alumni , Presentation Tips , Seen|Read|Heard
It's worked for Santa, and for David Letterman, too. See how this writer (a Buckley alum) uses a list to organize an article about volunteering as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army.
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December 15, 2016
Lessons All Around You
Public Speaking , Seen|Read|Heard
Columbia University professor Christopher Edmin wants teachers to better engage students--and his observations and techniques translate to every kind of communication.
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December 13, 2016
Great Debate....Topics?
Seen|Read|Heard , The Buckley Experience
A great debate can stimulate your thinking--and improve your public speaking. In an interview with Slate magazine, moderator John Donvan shares insight into how Intelligence Squared chooses topics and manages debates.
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December 1, 2016
An app for that? Um...
Public Speaking , Resources , Seen|Read|Heard
Ummo is an iPhone app released by a team of MIT and Harvard students. It promises to track your ums, likes and you knows, to help you get rid of them. At The Buckley School, we’ve long had an app for that, and if you've attended our Executive Seminar, you may, um, know what we mean.
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