Using Stories and Humor: Grab Your Audience

by Joanna Campbell Slan

With endorsements from two of the largest and most influential public speaking groups -- the National Speakers Association and Toastmasters International-- this book is written by an award-winning speaker and storyteller. Stories add depth and interest to any presentation. They get an audience listening, add a change of pace, teach without preaching, provide a context for information, and create a bond between the speaker and the audience. This practical, down-to-earth guide will teach readers how to use stories and humor to support their speaking objectives. From the apparently "spontaneous" story that's planned well in advance to an entire presentation that is a story, the author demonstrates how professional speakers use stories and humor, and shows how readers can use these elements to add polish and appeal to their own speeches and presentations. Readers will find a wealth of step-by-step ideas, tips, worksheets, and exercises to help you make effective use of stories. They'll discover how to create the critical elements of successful stories, learn how to see with a storyteller's eye, master techniques like foreshadowing and pace to create interest and drama. They will even find out how to become a likable narrator, keep their presentation balanced, and fresh - even when called upon to repeat it often. This is an ideal reference for professionals and novice speakers who want be remembered by their audiences. Part of the Essence of Public Speaking Series.

240 pages, Paperback

First published October 24, 1997

About the author

National bestselling and award-winning author Joanna Campbell Slan was born in Jacksonville, Florida, but she grew up in a small town in Indiana. After graduating from Ball State University with a degree in journalism, she worked as a newspaper reporter, a newspaper ad salesperson, a television talk show host, a college teacher, a public relations professional, and a motivational speaker. In that capacity, she was named by Sharing Ideas Magazine as “one of the top 25 speakers in the world.”

Slan's work has appeared in five of the New York Times Bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and one of those became a television show. She is the author of nearly 80 books, nonfiction and fiction, including Death of a Schoolgirl, which won the 2013 Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence.

Joanna's personal essays have appeared in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and one was made into a television program on the Pax Network. The college textbook Joanna wrote—Using Stories and Humor: Grab Your Audience—has been praised as an invaluable resource by Benjamin Netanyahu’s speechwriter and endorsed by Toastmasters, International.

RT Book Reviews has called Joanna “one of mystery’s rising stars.” Her first novel—Paper, Scissors, Death—was an Agatha Award finalist. It features Kiki Lowenstein, a spunky single mom who lives in St. Louis. The sixth book in that series will be released Summer 2013.

Kirkus Reviews has said, “Slan’s mysteries are most valuable for the well-developed characters and the issues they raise.” RT Book Reviews has said, “Kiki is so darn entertaining that she’ll keep readers hooked.” A series of short stories featuring Kiki are available on Kindle.

Joanna’s newest series—The Jane Eyre Chronicles—began with Death of a Schoolgirl (Berkley) and continues with the release of Death of a Dowager. The series features Charlotte Brontë’s classic heroine Jane Eyre as an amateur sleuth.

As “Lila Dare,” Joanna has penned the fourth book in the Southern Beauty Shop series—Wave Good-bye.

Joanna is married to David Slan. The Slans live on Jupiter Island, Florida.

Website: www.JoannaSlan.com

Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/JoannaCampbel...

Twitter: @JoannaSlan

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but not in depth and comprehensive

[Denise Galloni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good information and very nicely outlined in the book. Great takeaways I can use.