How to Speak

The lecture focuses on effective presentation and speaking techniques, emphasizing that communication skills are crucial for success. It introduces a formula where knowledge and practice outweigh inherent talent in determining speaking quality. The lecture deconstructs conventional advice, such as avoiding jokes at the beginning and the importance of an "empowerment promise" to engage the audience by outlining what they will gain. Key heuristics include cycling on a subject, building a fence around ideas to avoid confusion, and using verbal punctuation to help listeners stay on track. The speaker advocates for the use of blackboards over slides for teaching due to their graphic quality, appropriate speed, and utility as a target for nervous speakers. The lecture concludes with advice on how to end a presentation memorably, advocating for a "contributions" slide rather than a generic "thank you."