They say that if you want to become a good writer, the best way to go about doing so is to read. A lot.
In April 1947, American author William Faulkner, winner of the 1949 Nobel Prize in Literature, was asked to conduct a series of classes for the University of Mississippi’s English Department. The classes took the form of question-and-answer sessions. One student asked: “What is the best training for writing? Courses in writing? Or what?”
William Faulkner. Photo by Carl Van Vechten, via Wikimedia Commons.
Faulkner replied: “Read, read, read. Read everything – trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the most. Read! You’ll absorb it. Then write. If it is good, you’ll find out. If it’s not, throw it out the window.”
It seems to follow that one of the best training methods for becoming a great speaker, then, would be to listen to a whole lot of speeches. Listen to speakers who inspire you and speakers who don’t. Pay attention to what they have to say and how they say it. Study their presentation skills and their body language. You’ll come away with a wealth of information about what makes for a good presentation – and what does not.
I came across this great blog, Inspired Speeches, that’s just chock-full of important and moving speeches. Check it out and I promise you’ll be inspired.
Enjoy!
And don’t forget to visit our Speaker Resource Centre for info on speaking and how to market yourself.
