The Art of Public Speaking by John R. Hale

John R. Hale's series of lectures on The Great Courses: Art of Public Speaking - Lessons from the Greatest Speeches in History offers sound advice for constructing and delivering a speech to a wide variety of audiences.

He suggests that you do not use words but only images in power point presentations.  The words displayed on the screen interfere with the audiences' ability to understand what you are saying.

You don't have to start out your speech with a powerful beginning, instead use it to get a sense of the audience and create some room to maneuver.  Keep the attention of your audience by avoiding being too predictable. Finish strong with a memorized conclusion and avoid immediately asking for questions upon completion of the speech.

Use triads to deliver messages.  Churchill said I only have to "offer you blood, sweat, toil, and tears."  Audiences have chosen to forget the word toil to make the phrase more memorable.

Professors Hale 's background as an anthropologist gives more depth to his suggestions as he is not only an expert in giving speeches, he also conducts field research and lectures on the results.

John R. Hale - Why do civilizations fall and flourish? - 12 min.