As with the essays, you are welcome to read these and learn what you will from them, but please do not distribute them or claim them as your own.

Written by: Derek Mounce

I want to make it clear that in this speech, I'm not trying to change any of your views on any subject at all -especially the topic I'm going to talk about. I know, that makes absolutely no sense and in fact goes against what this speech is supposed to do, but by the end, if I've done my job correctly and am clear in what I'm trying to say, you'll understand exactly what I mean.

Written by: Derek Mounce

No, I really have no interest in teaching you public speaking, and you, I'm sure, have no interest in hearing me tell you what you already know. What I am going to tell about is what I'm good at, or at least what I think I am. It's something that may seem painfully simple and obvious to do, but really can be a little more difficult that it first appears. Listening, is what I'm going to teach you how to do. (Listening, by the way, is the topic, in case none of you were listening.)