Deb Gottesman

This is a reread for me. I came across this little book a few years ago, and found it so compelling that I decided to revisit it. Of all the self-help books I've read about public speaking, I think this one has been the most impactful on how I think about addressing groups.

Admittedly, the title of this book is a bit exaggerated. There is not a lot in here that is overtly drawn from theatre. In fact, some of the key points actually arise from comparing why public speaking is NOT like acting (such as the need for an interactive and dynamic relationship with the audience, instead of play being performed behind an invisible fourth wall).

The key 'hinge' of this book is an idea about the speakers priorities. Gottesman and Mauro begin by arguing that the usual approach to speech-making (thesis; points; arguments) is flawed because it is speaker-centric, not audience oriented. Their counter formula derives much more rhetoric than either logic (or theatre) theory:

1. Decide what you want your audience to do.
2. Assemble the information they must have in order to do it.
3. Interpret the information in such a way that they are persuaded to do it. (pg 21)

This book is a compelling read for public speakers because it looks at all the aspects of the art with a priority on the needs and experience of the listeners, not the presenter.… (más)