A Pleasant and Pleasing Presentation Style: Using Alliteration (Repetition 3)

Here's another type of repetition that attracts attention: alliteration.
It's very simple to do, is pleasing to the ear, and is both effective and memorable.

Alliteration is the repetition of a consonant or sound at the beginning of words. For example: A big bouncing ball. In this case, it is the 'b' sound that provides the alliteration (and which makes it fun to say and hear).
 You may have first come across alliteration in literature class. It is everywhere in poetry, prose and song lyrics. I like Joni Mitchells use of it in the song 'Big Yellow Taxi':
''They paved paradise and put up a parking lot... ''
It's also used in advertising jingles, and even company names: think of PayPal, or Coca-Cola. Even people's names can be alliterative: Marilyn Monroe (or Manson), Donald Duck, Ronald Reagan...

In rhetoric, alliteration is usually more subtle, yet it is also very commonly used. In addition, rhetoric even goes as far as describing the impact that different sounds have on an audience:
P or B are strong sounds that can startle or heighten the sense of drama: a bursting balloon popped powerfully.
S can be scary: Snakes slithered silently.

Here are some real world examples of alliteration in use:
''All for which America stands is safe today because brave men and women have been ready to face the fire at freedom's front.''
Ronald Reagan

''They are part of the finest fighting force that the world has ever known. They have served tour after tour of duty in distant, different and difficult places... ...In today's wars, there's not always a simple ceremony that signals our troops success; no surrender papers to be signed, or capital to be claimed.''
Barack Obama (how's that for a lot of alliteration!)

In the preparation process for your next presentation, try some alliteration.

All the best, and happy trails,
Rob

Quotes: 3 Great Reasons to Use Them

                   ''Logic will get you from A to B.
                     Imagination will take you everywhere.''
                                                  (Albert Einstein)

Three Reasons to Use Quotes

1.  A Quote Attracts Interest.
Quotes attract the audience's attention. If you say something like: ''As Aristotle famously said...'' people will be curious to hear what you are going to say. In other words, it's an easy audience involvement technique. Obviously the quote should be relevant and interesting.

2. Quotes are Memorable.
People will likely remember the quote long after the presentation. They may even end up using it themselves. And as a result you will also be remembered. An added bonus is that it makes it look like you made some extra effort. Which in fact you did.

3. Quotes Reinforce Your Topic or Point.
The reason we like good quotes is that they get the point across in a succinct, easy to understand way. They are clear and definitive. They help to reinforce your main theme.

The internet is full of good quote sites. But be careful! I have found several quotes on these sites wrongly attributed, so it's worth doing a double-check. Some sites I have used are BrainyQuotes and goodreads.com

The next time you are preparing a presentation, spend ten minutes and find a catchy and relevant quote. Try it out and see how it works. The small amount of effort is well worth it.

All the best, and happy trails,
Rob