“Call In Sick!”
As a college and university professor who has heard 1000’s of presentations, ranging from debates, oral interpretations, dramatic readings and of course the infamous “Public Speaking 101, I have heard my share of uninspiring presentations and dull speeches.
There is one dynamic that seems to run through the “worst of them” and which also operates when encountering the best of the best of them. When a speaker has been effective, they have also been PASSIONATE!
PASSION can cover a multitude of sins!
Thes articles have focused a lot on rhetorical techniques. There are a good number of rhetorical methods which can be quantified and serve as a pattern for adding to the “rhetorical toolbox.”
However, in the end, many a weakness can be ignored when there is passion. The speaker has to “show up and be present” when it comes to being effective in public speaking!
√ Listen to a man like Martin Luther King and hear his passion!
√ Notice how passion is lost when men are stuck to a manuscript!
√ Catch how passion comes alive when a speaker goes off-script and becomes spontaneous.
√ Watch how an audience gives a speaker their attention when he becomes enthusiastic!
√ Notice how eye contact changes when a speaker has genuine passion.
√ Observe how authenticity is communicated when there is a real passion.
√ Watch how different a speech is when the speaker is talking about something they feel and/or have lived!
If you don’t believe in what you are saying, then don’t present it!
Passion is seen . . . .
When a truth or principle has already been felt within the heart of the speaker.
When there is a desire to drive home a truth to the minds and hearts of others!
When a speaker moves from “loving to speak” to a love of a truth or principle which the speaker believes can and does make a difference in the lives of others.
When a speaker steps forward and immediately feels the enthusiasm of working with an audience and bringing them on his journey.
When there is an enthusiasm to make a difference again.
FIND THE PASSION
or
FIND ANOTHER ENDEAVOR YOU CAN BE PASSIONATE ABOUT!
“Call in sick” if you cannot seize that opportunity and speak with a passion which communicates that you believe this truth or principle will make a difference in life!
“Call in sick” if your vocal tone and bodily actions do not communicate that what you have to say genuinely matters!
“Call in sick” if you what you don’t VALUE that speaking opportunity!
If you have no PASSION for your message
why should or would anyone else?
Passion is easily recognized by an audience. An audience will have little difficulty in knowing whether or not the speaker truly feels and believes in what he is saying, as well as how important it is to him to share it with them.
There is much to be said for listening to those who are Bible-believing African-American pastors! Men such as “Tony Evans” or “Paul Sheppherd” – (Doing It By The Book) exemplify in both their vocal variety and body language, PASSION. It would be a mistake not to learn from such men as these, and a good number of others. There is a reason that they are nationally effective examples of biblical preaching!
There is one dynamic that seems to run through the “worst of them” and which also operates when encountering the best of them. . . .
The worst of them — little to no passion.
The best of them – obvious passion!
Don’t Have The Passion?
Then
DON’T BOTHER!*
RhetoricAndHomiletics.Org 
Reblogged this on Peace B. Steele.
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