Dale Carnegie's Public Speaking

Posted by Sandra Williams Nov 26, 2008

Dale Carnegie was famous for his books and courses on self-improvement such as “How to Win Friends and Influence People”.

Public Speaking was first published in 1913 but there have been many revisions since. My particular copy is the third revised addition from 1955.

His speech plan is written in three different ways but basically follows the same formula. This is how I’ve interpreted it.

• Find a problem and explain the facts about it in an interesting way.
• Win their confidence and/or share a convincing solution.
• Help make people feel part of the solution so that they will want to act.

To gain confidence his advice is the old fake it till you make it, which works. When you’re scared, if you act as though you are not and face those fears, you will eventually stop feeling scared. Of course this takes practice and preparation and those are things that are highly emphasized.

• It does help if you feel passionate about your subject and are extremely knowledgeable about it. In grade school I remember coming in second for my speech about my own family. My family was obviously something I was familiar with so I could speak about it confidently. If there’s a subject you’re passionate about but not as knowledgeable, you can research it to gain confidence.

Dale Carnegie shares great strategies on improving your memory and how to interest your audience. Other chapters include how to open and close a talk, making your meaning clear and how to get action. Public Speaking and Influencing Men In Business, 1913-2007, Kessinger Publishing, ISBN - 10:0766169731, is still relevant today. If you’re interested in developing more effective speeches, it's an excellent learning tool.