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Book: Speaker's Sourcebook II: Quotes, Stories, and Anecdotes for Every Occasion Author: Glenn Van Ekeren Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, pp. 419 Excerpt from Introduction: Have you ever noticed how a spell-binding speech seems to flow effortlessly — almost spontaneously? The opening grabs your attention, the key points are captivating, and the closing comments prompt you to action. You are almost amazed at your own attention span, interest, involvement, and support of the speaker's message. Such orations are the result of hours of research, preparation, and organization. Every point is intricately planned, written, and injected with supportive material to impact the listening audience. Top-notch speechmakers have learned to lace their speeches together to appear natural and simply delivered. Speaker's Sourcebook II was designed to help you develop an deliver speeches that will impact your audiences. This reference offers a bountiful buffet of speech-making, speech-enhancing material. You can choose from a chronicle of inspirational anecdotes, thought-provoking quotes, life-enriching vignettes, and light-hearted stories that will nourish your information-hungry audience. Excerpt from Book: Taking a Shot at It A famous novelist was lecturing to a group of college students determined to pursue literary careers. In the opening statement of his talk, he asked, "How many of you really want to be writers?" A flurry of hands shot into the air. "In that case," he continued, returning his notes to his coat pocket, "the best advice I can give you is to go home and write." Then he exited the room. The value of a book, educational program, good piece of advice, or lofty ambition is much like the value of buying a new car. You can spend a tidy sum for a new car, but until you start the engine, put it in gear, take your foot off the brake, and depress the gas, nothing will happen. Similarly, reading these inspirational anecdotes on action is of little value unless you get yourself into gear. Wayne Gretzky, the leading scorer in hockey history, reflected on the comment of an early coach who was frustrated with his lack of scoring in an important game. "Wayne," he said privately, "you miss 100 percent of the shots you never take." Likewise, people miss 100 percent of any goal, job task, dream, or project unless they take a shot at it. Journalist Kathy Seligman once said, "You can't hit a home run unless you step to the plate. You can't catch fish unless you put a line in the water. You can't reach your goals unless you actually do something." Table of Contents: Ability Achievement Action Adversity Age America Attitude Belief Change Choices Commitment Communication Courage Creativity Criticism Customer Service Death Determination Dreams Education Encouragement Enthusiasm Example Excellence Excuses Failure Forgiveness Friendship Future Giving Goals Growth Happiness Honesty Humility Humor Ideas Imagination Innovation Kindness Laughter Leadership Learning Life Love Marriage Mission Mistakes Motivation Obstacles Opportunity Perseverance Personality Persuasion Potential Preparation Problems Purpose Relationships Religion Risk Taking Self Servanthood Stress Success Time Understanding Values Vision Wealth Winners Work Worry Youth |