Why read Simply Speaking?

Book cover of Simply Speaking: How to Communicate Your Ideas with Style, Substance, and Clarity

Book description

Advice from Peggy Noonan:"The most moving thing in a speech is its logic. It's not the flowery words or flourishes, it's not the sentimental exhortations, it's never the faux poetry we're all subjected to these days. It's the logic behind your case. A good case well argued and well said…

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Ronald Reagan

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Why read it?

1 author picked Simply Speaking as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Natalie Canavor

Author

Why do I recommend a book on speechwriting? For the same reasons my book covers spoken communication. Good speeches base on the written word and in turn, yield many lessons for all writers. For example, “sayability” is a hallmark of writing that works, and a good way to check yourself. Noonan’s book also reminds us of what matters most: Deciding what you want to say—the substance. Fancy language never camouflages empty thought. Rather than trying to manipulate people, reach them with sincerity and specific language that’s “simple, unadorned, direct, declarative.” Noonan recommends appealing to the brain with logic. Psychologists, meanwhile,…

From Natalie's list on The best books for writing persuasive messages that win what you want.