Insights

‘Anti-discrimination laws refer to legislation designed to prevent discrimination against particular groups of people’. Nobody should sound like a Wikipedia article. Everybody should use analogies.

Although the average person laughs ten times per day, this number may vary during conferences. If your presentation is as exciting as the broadcast of a chess game, jazz it up with a joke.

If your mum cares about how you frame your pictures at home, she will care even more about how you frame your words in public. Let’s not mess things up.

Remembering your speech is easier than you think. Instead of learning every word by heart, summarise your core message. If you can say it in one sentence, chances are high that you can say it in one hour.

What is the best reaction in a debate? We should be quick on the trigger and put the other side on the defensive. An English programmer ranked the best levels of attack.

‘Good points but a bit hard to follow.’ Not only participants of our debate nights get this feedback. If you think you have interesting content but could be clearer, use signpost language.

A single question should never make your entire case crumble. If you want to build a strong position, examine each element of your argument. Solid evidence coupled with reliable reasoning can result in convincing claims.

Not everyone with expertise sticks out as an expert. Fortunately, a rhetorical device exists that can make you look like a descendant of Socrates: competent and eloquent at the same time.

How do we prevent coming across as boring without being too bold? Making a new point without making new enemies is possible if we pick the right position. 

Once we know our audience, it's time to prepare relevant content for an impactful speech. The path to success is not easy but a Roman lobbyist thankfully provides guidance.

Communication is like capoeira; it takes two. The same message can have diametrical effects if we do not keep the receiver in mind. This is why marketeers and pollsters developed tools to segment audiences.

169 goals, 29 penalties, 9 late winners - Statistics can provide valuable information and enhance your credibility. The question remains whether a fact is good or bad. Present meaningful figures in three steps.

“You’re so emotional.” Does this phrase make you shake your head or smile? Many believe expert speakers should hide their feelings and merely share neutral facts. If the audience perceives you as knowledgable, it is great work albeit a job half done.

To deliver a message with power, to get your audience’s attention, to hold your thought with suspense, to build to a crescendo with several phrases, to complete with style, these are challenges a periodic sentence can easily solve.

Speech is silver, silence is golden. Starting a post on communication with this saying seems odd at first but don’t be bewildered by the beginning as everything will become clear in the end. Today, we look at antitheses, which create contrast to capture your audience’s attention.

K.I.S.S. - Keep it short and simple. You find this advise in old books or get if from aged consultants. But how do you keep it short if someone invites you to present for half an hour? Preparing your points with an acronym can provide a structure that neither you nor the audience forgets - even if it is a long speech.

Bad speeches make bad speakers. We have all pulled out our phone during a boring presentation. We have all daydreamed in an endless meeting. We have all wondered how we could captivate our audience. Preparing anaphoras is a quick and easy solution.