Last week I highlighted Herman Cain's speech directly answering the questions about the unfounded allegations of sexual misconduct. While I admire the skills of Herman Cain as a speaker, Newt Gingrich is an excellent debater. Gingrich's vast experience and historical knowledge serves him well, but his ability to share that knowledge in a way that gets directly to the heart of the matter is simply masterful. x Gingrich Lectures combative debate moderator on rules of war Newt Gingrich also has some baggage to overcome during the coming election, but his ability to speak directly and hold his own when asked the difficult and the "Gotcha" questions is far above any of the other Rebuplican candidates. If you liked this article, please subscribe to our...
On Monday, I talked about the need to be specific, even oddly specific. Today, I'd like to talk about when it's necessary to be "specifically general." While being specific can help you avoid confusion and frustration, being general has the advantage of not ruffling feathers and allowing you not to discuss personal issues if you don't want to. 1. Say you get a phone call from a distant relative asking you to fill her in on all the details of a personal family matter. She is not directly involved and is just being nosy. You don't want to give her any details, but you feel trapped as she has you on the phone. What do you do? There is no...
"Be not careless in deeds, nor confused in words, nor rambling in thought." -Marcus Aelius Aurelius When we communicate in a confusing way we create uncertainty, hesitation, misunderstanding and offense. What follows can be hurt feelings, anger and even a dissolution of relationships. However, being more clear and precise in our speech just takes a little training. Here are just a few very simple tips for speaking more clearly. In other words...Ten Terrific Tips for a less Trying Tongue. 1. Put Yourself in Your Audience's Shoes Trust me. They won't mind sharing! Think about the people to whom you are speaking. What would they expect? What might they already know about what you are about to share? What might they...
This is the 7th and final article in my homeschool series, "A Question of Homeschooling." Over the last several weeks, I've covered some important issues and questions about homeschooling. You've heard it said that no question is a dumb question, but I don't subscribe to that theory. Some questions, though you may stretch their meaning to include something that really isn't being asked, are indeed DUMB questions. As I said in my first article, I have been homeschooling for over 10 years. In that time I have had people ask me some valid, pertinent, and important questions about homeschooling. I have had folks express their reservations about homeschooling. Hey, I had them too! And I have had people ask the...
For the next few weeks, I'm going to post a series of articles answering the typical questions homeschoolers are asked. Each Monday, I'll post answers to questions about socialization, college prep, and extra curricular events. I'll also deal with how to handle things when your children are grilled by folks who wonder, (as one anti homeschooler put it) "Does she KNOW anything?" I've been homeschooling for over ten years. I have taught every grade level and even graduated one student who went on to an elite university. My children and I have been asked every homeschooling question in the book, but this week I'm going to begin at the beginning. Why? Why do you homeschool? Why did you decide...
