We all love the convenience of a short, precise textmessage, but it comes at a cost. More and more people are ill equipped to pickup a phone or arrange an in-person meeting, and often even the idea of speakingcauses actual anxiety. In Speaking withPower and Persuasion, licensed speech and language pathologist RebeccaShafir gives you the tools to engage in meaningful communication with easy tolearn steps.
Whether you are a self-promoter, salesperson, educator, politicalcandidate, business leader, or student learning English as a second language, Speakingwith Power and Persuasion, explains
how the body and voice work together to produce a strongvocal image;tips for taking the stress out of speaking situations;erasing bad habits that make you hard to listen to, like nasality, hoarseness,or a monotone;ways to communicate certainty, approachability, and animation when you speak;speech and vocal techniques that help you sound smart, credible, andtrustworthy;actors' tricks so you're heard clearly at the back of the room;- yoga for the voice—measures to keep your voice in tiptop shape;how to practice the techniques that dramatically improve receptiveness toyour ideas;ways for a person with learning differences or disabilities to communicate moreeffectively;how families with a learning disabled child can communicate to manage stress and help their child succeed;what the ESL speaker can do to reduce astrong accent and connect better with native English speakers;ways for a native speaker to help a nonnative speaker improve their English pronunciation.Unlike most advice on improving your speaking that you might receive from a sales trainer or debate coach, Speaking withPower and Persuasion comes from a professional with a solidscientific understanding of the workings of the voice. The techniques RebeccaShafir teaches are precise, practical, and sustainable. You learn what to do,how often to practice, and exactly why the exercises improve the impression youmake on others.
