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Communication Concepts from Secular Circles
It is often good for Christian communicators to listen to what secular communicators have to say. They often have more insight on how to reach the secular mind than people who have spent most of their lives communicating in church. These recommended books are not new, but they have reappeared in new editions.
On Speaking Well
By Peggy Noonan (Regan)
This is a paperback version of the book Simply Speaking. Peggy Noonan is best known as a speechwriter for Ronald Reagan and the first George Bush. She was the primary writer for Reagan’s "Challenger Disaster" speech and his tribute to the Rangers on the anniversary of the Normandy invasion. She was also the primary writer for Bush’s "Thousand Points of Light" speech. Reagan often referred to her as the lady who writes the poetry.
Today Noonan is a columnist for The Wall Street Journal and a frequent guest on news programs.
The book is a collection of personal advice on writing and delivering speeches, communicated by means of many personal anecdotes and case studies. The anecdotes are worth the price of the book. The book is strongest when it deals with the writing of speeches, as opposed to the delivery of them. She counsels people about how to write for the ear. She advocates that no speech should last longer than 20 minutes.
Much of the advice is obvious, but there are other discussions that are particularly helpful, including material on how to perform in a question-and-answer session. We might disagree with some of her advice, like speaking from a full manuscript, but on the whole preachers can learn a lot about speechwriting from Noonan, who is indisputably one of the greats.
You Are the Message
By Roger Ailes with Jon Kraushar (Currency)
The title is a takeoff on the old adage from Marshall McLuhan that the "medium is the message." Ailes, like Noonan, worked for presidents. Ailes was a media adviser and debate coach for Ronald Reagan. He now heads up the Fox News Channel.
Ailes is known for his mantra that speakers need to exude their own natural charm. Some might accuse Ailes of being interested in style over substance. I think that would be unfair, although this book is about how style needs to be derived from a speaker’s natural mode of expression. He is a great believer in the power of a sense of humor and a high level of energy.
Like Noonan, Ailes uses anecdotes from his years in entertainment and politics to illustrate his principles. Some of his advice includes giving great attention to the first seven minutes of a speech, and remembering that the audience pays close attention to visual signals.
Noonan and Ailes know the power of good communication can help elect a president. Those of us who communicate in the church should be just as concerned, or even more, because we believe what we do is even more important than an election.
Mike Shannon is dean at Cincinnati (Ohio) Bible Seminary.
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January 18, 2006 - Dealing With the Dark Side
January 4, 2006 - Libraries Without Walls
December 7, 2005 - Words of Wisdom for Women's Ministry
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September 14, 2005 - A Potpourri of Books
August 31, 2005 - A Potpourri of Web Sites
August 17, 2005 - Hart-to-Heart Talks
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