The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking

by Dale Carnegie

When George Bernard Shaw was asked how he learned to speak so compellingly in public, he replied: “I did it the same way I learned to skate—by doggedly making a fool of myself until I got used to it.”

GB Shaw example

speakers are not easily persuaded to accept this point of view—they avoid using personal experiences as too trivial and too restrictive. They would rather soar into the realms of general ideas and philosophical principles, where unfortunately the air is too rarefied for ordinary mortals to breathe.

“I can teach you in ten minutes how to take out an appendix. But it will take me four years to teach you what to do if something goes wrong.”

Asked if he ever wrote out any part or all of his talks, he replied: “What I have to say is, I believe, far too important to write down on paper. I prefer to write on my audience’s mind, on their emotions, with every ounce of my being. A piece of paper cannot stand between me and those I want to impress.”

What is the Magic Formula? Simply this: Start your talk by giving us the details of your Example, an incident that graphically illustrates the main idea you wish to get across. Second, in specific clearcut terms give your Point, tell exactly what you want your audience to do; and third, give your Reason, that is, highlight the advantage or benefit to be gained by the listener when he does what you ask him to do.