The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking

by Dale Carnegie

When you use exhibits, follow these suggestions and you will be assured of the rapt attention of your audience. Keep the exhibit out of sight until you are ready to use it. Use exhibits large enough to be seen from the very last row. Certainly your audience can’t learn from any exhibit unless they see it. Never pass an exhibit around among your listeners while you are speaking. Why invite competition? When you show an exhibit, hold it up where your listeners can see it. Remember, one exhibit that moves is worth ten that don’t. Demonstrate if practicable. Don’t stare at the exhibit as you talk—you are trying to communicate with the audience, not with the exhibit. When you have finished with the exhibit, get it out of sight if practicable. If the exhibit you are going to use lends itself to “mystery treatment,” have it placed on a table which will be at your side as you speak. Have it covered. As you talk, make references to it that will arouse curiosity—but don’t tell what it is. Then, when you are ready to unveil it, you have aroused curiosity, suspense, and real interest.