Public SpeakingFrom Preparation toPresentation: How to Become Confident, Relaxedand Meaningful

In Public Speaking—From Preparation to Presentation: How to Become Confident, Relaxed and Meaningful, Silke von Seydlitz sets out to empower public speakers, primarily the inexperienced. The book is written for those “who want to get through to an audience, who want to make a difference with a message” (11). Von Seydlitz includes numerous practicable exercises and checklists to help guide the reader through preparation and rehearsal. Currently offered as an e-book, it contains links to PDF files of all her checklists, as well as links to a variety of additional resources.Von Seydlitz balances reflection and action well, which makes for an engaging read. She asks the reader numerous questions throughout every chapter. Most of these questions encourage the reader to reflect on and learn from previous experiences as a speaker and audience member or to make personal observations regarding posture, tension, and breath. Some questions simply serve to make the language of the book more conversational and do not add much to the substance of the book. However, the questions do make the book sound less formal and less intimidat-ing. In each chapter, after asking the reader to reflect, von Seydlitz then gives a combination of actionable advice, lists of “don’ts,” and several exercises in simple, straightforward language. This combination energizes the book and helps the reader feel like they have their own coach.In the introduction, von Seydlitz focuses on her definition of the word “presentation,” which she describes as “someone communicating something to someone else with aspecific purpose in mind” (11). She then discusses each of those factors: Someone (theSender), the Act of Communicating, Something (the Message), Someone Else (the Receiver), Specific Purpose the Goal, and Your Attitude. Most importantly, she stresses that beyond mastering a few basic techniques, there is no right way to present. It is more important that each individual speaker find a style that makes them feel comfortable and confident.The first chapter focuses on speaker likability. Stressing the actionable nature of the book right from the start, von Seydlitz uses this chapter to give 10 tips for effective presentations. These tips walk the reader through basic delivery skills and set the stage for topics discussed more in-depth throughout the book.The next four chapters help the reader develop his or her speech. The second chapter guides the reader through the rhetorical circumstances of the speech: the occasion, the parameters of the speech, the physical environment, and the audience. Von Seydlitz offers many valuable tips for managing these circumstances, such as how to adapt when scheduled to speak during the “graveyard session” immediately after lunch. Chapter Three briefly explains how to prepare the body of the speech. Chapter Four gives practicable advice on creating compelling introductions and conclusions. The most helpful advice in this chapter is the acronym INTRO: Icebreaker, Need to Listen, Topic, Range, and Objective (41). Finally, Chapter Five helps the reader decide which type of notes will be most helpful. Full sheets of paper, note cards, and PowerPoint Notes-pages are discussed. For those not comfortable with audio/visual technology, von Seydlitz includes a step-by-step guide on how to create and use PowerPoint Notes-pages. The included screenshots show the process on a Mac; however, the process is similar for PCs. Some of the terminology, such as “Project” instead of “Display,” is different, but the process within PowerPoint is the same.