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Secrets of Dynamic Communication: Preparing and Delivering Powerful Speeches
This unique handbook covers the full scope of effective communication with simplicity and power. Its fresh insight and practical techniques can be applied by anyone from the complete novice to an experienced speaker. Ken takes you step-by-step from preparation to delivery. Learn the secret common to all dynamic communicators, a system guaranteed to help you prepare and speak with power, and a strategy for finding and using compelling illustrations. Your audience will see the difference as you apply the guidelines for using humor, body language, and eye contact. This is a must-read for anyone who delivers a speech.
169 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1991
106 people are currently reading
650 people want to read
About the author
Ken Davis
31 books12 followersKen Davis, a best selling author and frequent radio and television guest, is a sought after speaker. As president of Dynamic Communicators International, he teaches the art and business of communication to companies and indviduals from all walkes of life. Ken's daily radio show, Lighten Up!, is heard on more than 1,500 stations in the United States and around the world. He and his wife, Diane, live in Tennessee and have two daughters and six grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
March 18, 2018
Very good, practical book on prepping and delivering content. Would recommend it as a starter. It changed the way I view communicating. Also reading this will help teach you how to give feedback on people's communication skills.
October 12, 2021
WOW!!! This was an exceptional book. Davis breaks down the steps it takes to be a better speaker. He begins with the planning process and walks you through the delivery process. It has made me a better speaker and preacher. The planning process is invaluable. I would HIGHLY recommend this boom to anyone who does public speaking, and yes, that means pastors and preachers. It will make you a better presenter.
January 23, 2019
This book is one my favorite resources for preparing and shaping a talk. I can't think of a better book to help you improve.
February 7, 2023
I really enjoyed Ken's approach to speaking in many contexts. I found his SCORREE method very helpful for making sure my delivery and thought process linear.
December 31, 2013
Looking for the secret to a power-packed speech? Secrets of Dynamic Communication provides a formula to make every presentation successful. Anyone who seeks “to instruct, encourage, motivate, or call an audience to action” (p. 20) will benefit from the tools provided within its pages. That includes high school teachers, Sunday School teachers, and every kind of teacher in-between. The author, Ken Davis, goes into great detail to spell out the difference between an average talk and a memorable one. He uses 40 years of experience to analyze the nuts and bolts of a great speech, and to equip others to evaluate their own presentations.
As a speaker, I have sought out many books on the art of developing an address, and put many of the tips gleaned therein to the test. This book is very user-friendly in breaking down the format into easy-to-remember steps, acrostics and examples that clarify instructions. Chapter Reviews reinforce material covered, and the Appendix gives a springboard for talks by listing examples, key words and topical indexes. The real genius of the book, however, is in the spreadsheet for SCORRE, the acronym for Davis’ formula and conference of the same name. Just two weeks ago, it provided a map, when I had the honor of speaking at a close friend’s funeral. It was a time when every word counted, and had to be just right. Thank you Ken Davis, for equipping me to focus on the objective. As he says, “Diligence in preparation results in excellence on the platform.” (p. 29)
This book is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to impact others. Get your own copy, if you want the SCORRE formula!
As a speaker, I have sought out many books on the art of developing an address, and put many of the tips gleaned therein to the test. This book is very user-friendly in breaking down the format into easy-to-remember steps, acrostics and examples that clarify instructions. Chapter Reviews reinforce material covered, and the Appendix gives a springboard for talks by listing examples, key words and topical indexes. The real genius of the book, however, is in the spreadsheet for SCORRE, the acronym for Davis’ formula and conference of the same name. Just two weeks ago, it provided a map, when I had the honor of speaking at a close friend’s funeral. It was a time when every word counted, and had to be just right. Thank you Ken Davis, for equipping me to focus on the objective. As he says, “Diligence in preparation results in excellence on the platform.” (p. 29)
This book is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to impact others. Get your own copy, if you want the SCORRE formula!
April 16, 2019
In his book, Secrets of Dynamic Communications, Ken Davis shares with readers his insights into the world of speaking. His insights will help you become a better communicator and speaker.
This book is recommended for those who want to step up and into the world of public speaking. Ken makes this process understandable. He also infuses humor into the writing make it more approachable.
I'd highly recommend this book to those looking to get into the speaking arena.
This book is recommended for those who want to step up and into the world of public speaking. Ken makes this process understandable. He also infuses humor into the writing make it more approachable.
I'd highly recommend this book to those looking to get into the speaking arena.
September 4, 2024
Mr. Ken Davis's book on communication is very beneficial. Through this informative book you will learn the best ways to engage a crowd while speaking in front of others. This book is extremely helpful for anyone learning how to public speak more effectively! However, this is especially important for anyone looking to be a pastor as you can tie in these practical steps to preaching and teaching the Word in a way that comes alive to the congregation.
April 16, 2018
Simple and direct. This is one of the best tutorials on how to build and structure a compelling presentation. Every preacher, teacher, and public speaker should read this and then adapt it to their particular context. Having been a public speaker for 25 years, I still go back to this material every few years to stay sharp.
April 9, 2023
Excellent
If you are looking to enhance your communication skills S.O.D.C is 1st rate. Ken Davis' step by step method is user friendly and filled with insight to enhance your preparation and speaking skills. First time reading this authors book.
Rated five stars because it was an easy read and with examples to follow.
If you are looking to enhance your communication skills S.O.D.C is 1st rate. Ken Davis' step by step method is user friendly and filled with insight to enhance your preparation and speaking skills. First time reading this authors book.
Rated five stars because it was an easy read and with examples to follow.
February 27, 2018
Excellent for structuring your speech
Worth the ready. 5e first part of the book is excellent. The last two chapters, I felt it loss some steam. Overall a good starting pint and reference book.
Worth the ready. 5e first part of the book is excellent. The last two chapters, I felt it loss some steam. Overall a good starting pint and reference book.
May 4, 2020
Preparation in speeches and presentation is important to touch the emotion of your audience. Why should others listen to presentations that are sloppy done? Preparation is key. And the book shows you how you do it.
November 2, 2021
Great information and guidance for communicating with others in many different situations. Helps to figure out how best to present information in a clear and concise manner to help people to hear what is being communicated. Great read for people newer to ministry.
May 30, 2022
I truly enjoyed digging into this book. It's a practical guide from start to finish in creating a compelling presentation. There were numerous steps and ways of thinking that were new to me and will improve my writing and thought process! Excellent.
October 22, 2022
inspiring, funny, practical
Ken Davis has been a source of inspiration and laughter in my life for decades! Highly recommend this practical, funny, and inspiring book and all the resources that Ken offers!
Ken Davis has been a source of inspiration and laughter in my life for decades! Highly recommend this practical, funny, and inspiring book and all the resources that Ken offers!
December 31, 2023
Read this for college, and it was really interesting to see how he lays out his speeches, and the process for writing one. Is a great tool for anyone who teaches, does sermons/bible study, conference leading etc.
February 22, 2024
3.5
Good book, Ken Davis is a great writer who is concise in his thoughts. At times it was hard to want to stay focused on this book but that might be strictly just the nature of it. Regardless, it is still well-written and informative.
Good book, Ken Davis is a great writer who is concise in his thoughts. At times it was hard to want to stay focused on this book but that might be strictly just the nature of it. Regardless, it is still well-written and informative.
May 8, 2025
I loved this book! I listened to it first then bought the paperback. It is inspiring and instructional without being boring. The only thing I did not like was that I was unable to find any link for a pdf form. There is a form in the paperback but it is not large enough to copy.
November 28, 2017
The best book I have ever read on public speaking! It also helped me write my nonfiction book by helping me organize the information in each chapter. This is a MUST READ for for writers and speakers.
January 12, 2018
A helpful, practical book on how to prepare a persuasive or enabling speech.
October 25, 2018
Helpful tips for speaking but also apply to planning everyday verbal and written communication.
November 12, 2018
Excellent book that provides a template for public speaking. Highly recommend.
December 7, 2018
Do you find yourself public speaking in any capacity? Then read this book!
November 29, 2020
The SCORRE method is a wonderfully helpful framework for writing and delivering talks and speeches. I wish I'd known about this framework years ago.
March 23, 2021
This book was phenomenal. That’s all I have to say.
August 7, 2021
Not something I was looking for.
February 24, 2025
not a book I would normally read but that doesn’t take away from it being an actually good book
September 13, 2013
Want to know exactly how to prepare a speech that will be powerful and effective? Ken Davis' book is precisely for you. Not only is this a very easy-to-understand guide on crafting a speech, but he leaves no element of the speaking environment untouched, including the preparation, even the lighting and sound! This will prepare any first time speech-giver to communicate effectively and winsomely.
The great parts of this book were the last few chapters on humor and illustrations. Especially as a Christian, the use of humor in public speaking can be tricky, and Davis treads these waters with grace and humility, and the treatment of gathering illustrations for speeches was a helpful section, I think even more so for people who speak often and regularly. For the casual speech-giver, it may not be as helpful.
Just one critique to be given (from a pastor's perspective): I think the scope of the book was narrow in the Christian setting. Understandably, Davis wants to appeal to a larger audience than just the pastor or christian speaker, but he left many things to be said for crafting sermons, and christian speaking in general. He gives a great way to prepare if a pastor were speaking topically (minus that whole prayer thing), but as someone who believes in expository preaching, his method seemed difficult to reconcile with preparing an exposition of a biblical text.
The topic in expository preaching isn't always the "most relevant" to the audience in the sense that the pastor chooses something to preach on that resonates with the church, rather the word of God is always relevant to God's people, and as the pastor faithfully prepares a sermon, he cannot and should not twist the Scriptures to say what he wants, but must be a communicator of what God's truth already says. His job is to allow the Spirit to apply the word to the hearts of his hearers.
In short, this is a great,effective, articulate and short book on preparing great topical speeches. I would recommend this book to people like my sister, who give speeches at schools and in other public settings. But I might not recommend it to a pastor.
The great parts of this book were the last few chapters on humor and illustrations. Especially as a Christian, the use of humor in public speaking can be tricky, and Davis treads these waters with grace and humility, and the treatment of gathering illustrations for speeches was a helpful section, I think even more so for people who speak often and regularly. For the casual speech-giver, it may not be as helpful.
Just one critique to be given (from a pastor's perspective): I think the scope of the book was narrow in the Christian setting. Understandably, Davis wants to appeal to a larger audience than just the pastor or christian speaker, but he left many things to be said for crafting sermons, and christian speaking in general. He gives a great way to prepare if a pastor were speaking topically (minus that whole prayer thing), but as someone who believes in expository preaching, his method seemed difficult to reconcile with preparing an exposition of a biblical text.
The topic in expository preaching isn't always the "most relevant" to the audience in the sense that the pastor chooses something to preach on that resonates with the church, rather the word of God is always relevant to God's people, and as the pastor faithfully prepares a sermon, he cannot and should not twist the Scriptures to say what he wants, but must be a communicator of what God's truth already says. His job is to allow the Spirit to apply the word to the hearts of his hearers.
In short, this is a great,effective, articulate and short book on preparing great topical speeches. I would recommend this book to people like my sister, who give speeches at schools and in other public settings. But I might not recommend it to a pastor.
September 23, 2014
In Secrets of Dynamic Communications, Ken Davis takes us through the basics of preparing for public speaking and how we can maximize our impact when we are communicating to a large group. Over all what Davis delivers is insightful, but nothing too new to anyone who has study the subject of communication or preaching. The first half he targets the main problem with most speeches/preaches is that they lack focus in their message. He takes us through step-by-step using the SCORRE method (see picture below for me information) to help us develop clear and focused messages. In the later chapters he turns his attention towards delivery and application.
Davis’s writing style is easy to ready. He brings in lots of stories and illustrations, which help the reader to fully grasp what he is trying to convey. If you are anything like me and like to take notes, highlight, and underline in your books, then I would highly recommend you get a print copy and not the digital form of this book. It has lot of information and you will want to be able to go back to it and reference things. I can’t tell you the countless times I wanted to throw my iPad because I just wanted to easily flip back to that ONE diagram. But over all I think this is a great read for those who are new to public speaking or need a little refreshing.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Davis’s writing style is easy to ready. He brings in lots of stories and illustrations, which help the reader to fully grasp what he is trying to convey. If you are anything like me and like to take notes, highlight, and underline in your books, then I would highly recommend you get a print copy and not the digital form of this book. It has lot of information and you will want to be able to go back to it and reference things. I can’t tell you the countless times I wanted to throw my iPad because I just wanted to easily flip back to that ONE diagram. But over all I think this is a great read for those who are new to public speaking or need a little refreshing.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
October 5, 2013
A complete and detailed, step by step guide to being the best public speaker that you can be. Written for anyone who must give speeches, lectures, talks, or any kind of message, author Ken Davis uses his own SCORRE method to teach the reader complete instructions on giving the best presentation you can, while avoiding common mistakes often overlooked by the speaker.
The SCORRE method uses focused steps to keep the presenter on topic, keep the audience interested and connected to the presentation, and also helps the speaker to look, feel and have the most impact on an audience.
The reader will find the appendix full of examples, ranging from topics, key words, types of talks;(persuasive or enabling), and a worksheet to help a speaker outline any given speech.
I chose to read this book hoping to find information that would help me better my communication skills, especially in sales. I found it a bit boring to read- probably a better book for those who do work on a stage in front of an audience and not a book for sales techniques. Also, I found the biblical references to be out of place in this book. You can come to your own conclusions if you choose to read.
I received this book from Booksneeze.com in exchange for my honest opinion.
The SCORRE method uses focused steps to keep the presenter on topic, keep the audience interested and connected to the presentation, and also helps the speaker to look, feel and have the most impact on an audience.
The reader will find the appendix full of examples, ranging from topics, key words, types of talks;(persuasive or enabling), and a worksheet to help a speaker outline any given speech.
I chose to read this book hoping to find information that would help me better my communication skills, especially in sales. I found it a bit boring to read- probably a better book for those who do work on a stage in front of an audience and not a book for sales techniques. Also, I found the biblical references to be out of place in this book. You can come to your own conclusions if you choose to read.
I received this book from Booksneeze.com in exchange for my honest opinion.
January 26, 2015
Although this book is primarily geared towards speakers, it had some really good points for writers too, especially since we go through very similar processes when writing a post vs preparing a talk. I loved the whole SCORRE process used to narrow down your topic so you know exactly what you should be writing/talking about, as well as inspiration for crafting better titles, and how to keep track of your thoughts and ideas without losing them -- something I really needed help with!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews