Use Your Words - What You Can Learn From Inspirational Orators
My children are old enough that if I were to tell them to, “Use your words,” they would most likely pull out a few I had to look up in the dictionary, or maybe even one or two that would make me blush. However, “Use your words” is a popular way for today’s parents to help their young children focus when they are too excited or upset to express themselves well. Do you suppose Nancy Lincoln said, “Use thee words, Abraham.” Or, Alberta King had to scold, “Your words, Martin! Use your words, son.” Regardless of whether their mothers had to correct their youthful correspondence or not, the two men grew to become two of my favorite orators. Funny thing about public speaking. You can be well-spoken, engaging and confident, but if your audience isn’t passionate about your subject, you won’t connect. Both men spoke on timely topics that people felt very passionate about—whether for or against. In Lincoln’s first inaugural address, 1861 he said: In your hands, my dissatisfie...