CHAPTER 1
How Did We Get Here?

I’LL BEGIN WITH A BRIEF HISTORY OF HOW we got to the rather sorry state of public speeches and presentations we find ourselves in today. Trust me; it’s important to help you understand why kinesthetic speaking is so vital to success in the modern, post-television era.

The Ancient Greeks invented public speaking because they had to.

The idea that ordinary people should stand up and deliver public presentations began with the Ancient Greeks. In their legal system, the opposing sides were expected to speak for themselves in court. Around this dire necessity, a whole lore of public-speaking tips and advice developed. Soon enough, the plaintiffs and defendants began to hire expert rhetors (think lawyer) to speak for ...

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