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Better English 101
Timely Communication Tips
3 June 2008, Issue 21
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Why the Title?
-- Saul Became Paul
-- This Just In
-- Speaking Better E-course--Lesson 3
-- What Does Dad Want?

Are you wondering why the subtitle is Timely Communication Tips? Well, people have written kind letters referring to my blog, my grammar letter, my letter, and even my magazine. So I thought I'd try to make my purpose clearer: it's a newsletter about communication tips. And thank you for the compliments.

Saul Became Paul
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 Former presidential press secretary Scott McClellan has been asked by several why his book, "What Happened," expressing dismay with our chief executive's lack of leadership, is different from the original proposal he submitted to his publisher.

The insinuation is that by changing his original focus, he has lost credibilty.

I couldn't help but remember the scene in Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man" where the narrator, describing an unexpected change in events, reminds us that the biblical Saul did in fact become Paul.

Put another way, it is a very common practice for writers of books--especially longer than 400 pages-- while in the agonizing throes of making one paragraph after another follow coherently, change their minds about something--theme, style, even structure.

In fact, you should wonder about a writer who is able to dash off several hundred pages of fiction or nonfiction and not change his mind about anything. Was there any personal growth involved?

Why did you change a paragraph or page or chapter? Usually because you have put some more thought to it.

In freshman English--and elsewhere--we call that initial effort a first draft. Don't be afraid to think about how you can improve your theme, style or structure by modifying your original approach. And like Saul, don't be afraid to change your mind.

But remember, it has to end. Don't agonize over every word as the clerk Joseph Grand does in Albert Camus' novel, "The Plague." Aiming to produce the perfect work, he finishes only one sentence.

Often I have to upload files that are too large to send by email. Here's the solution I'll share with you...

This Just In
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 Submit your essay to our new site launching Thursday, June 5. We're publishing the best in book form. Click here for details--


Speaking Better E-course--Lesson 3
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 Welcome to Today's Public Speaking Tips: Record Yourself Talking

After your speech is ready, make a recording of it. Stand as if you are facing your audience and talk into the recorder. Concentrate on the body movements and facial expressions that you would use as if you were already in front of the audience.

Tape the entire talk. Play it back, and listen to your voice. Does it sound confident--or shaky? Can you hear yourself breathing loudly? Are you pausing too long between sentences? Take notes on what you want to change.

Considering your review of diction and voice quality, record your talk again. This time, read it again directly from your note cards. Now listen to it again and see if your voice sounds the way you want it to be heard.

Once you have a recording made completely from your notes, you can use this version to listen to repeatedly to help you memorize your talk.

Take your recorder with you everywhere you go. Use a headset, and whenever you find yourself with a few minutes of free time, listen to it.

By listening to your speech over and over again, you will find it much easier to memorize.

Keep a small notepad with you to make any changes. Once you have listened to it several times, go over your notes and make any changes you need. Record it again, reading directly from your notes.

After you've listened to it completely and are sure it's exactly how you would like it, listen to it over and over until you have it completely memorized. Now, when you are ready to deliver your speech, you can present it confidently, certain that you know it inside and out, forward and backward.

I got tired of those marketing faxes coming in and using up my paper. So I tried a few email fax companies and found one that beat all the others. Here's a special offer


What Does Dad Want?
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 A national survey commissioned by Circuit City shows 52 percent of dads prefer an electronics gift for their big day, while 16 percent want clothing and 13 percent want a vacation. Some other choices:

Save up to 63%  Plus 12 FREE Burgers!

Savor the fantastic flavors o f Dale & Thomas Popcorn


www.newnovelist.comA powerful software writing tool

Sincerely,
Barry Beckham


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