Romancing the Room: How to Engage Your Audience, Court Your Crowd, and Speak Successfully in Public [Paperback]

James M. Wagstaffe (Author), Bruce Bean (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 26, 2002

Why is a public speaker like an eager suitor? In this adroit guide to wooing your audience, James Wagstaffe explains how to get your message across by using techniques drawn from more personal encounters. Romancing the Room identifies the most important elements of public speaking: making a great first impression, presenting thoughts and ideas with charm and clarity, and getting people to agree with and commit to your proposals. Wagstaffe, a highly successful trial attorney and public speaking expert, reveals the ingenious tricks of the trade employed by top-notch communicators, including:

* Establishing common ground with an audience
* Using visuals and stories to captivate even the most restless of listeners
* Avoiding filler words and distracting voice patterns
* Winning an audience with substance, not sound bites

Filled with anecdotes and sage advice and written in a witty yet authoritative tone, Romancing the Room will help even novice speakers conquer podium fears, steady their voices, and convey informative messages like a pro.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Why is a public speaker like an eager suitor? In this adroit guide to wooing your audience, James Wagstaffe explains how to get your message across by using techniques drawn from more personal encounters. Romancing the Room identifies the most important elements of public speaking: making a great first impression, presenting thoughts and ideas with charm and clarity, and getting people to agree with and commit to your proposals. Wagstaffe, a highly successful trial attorney and public speaking expert, reveals the ingenious tricks of the trade employed by top-notch communicators, including:

* Establishing common ground with an audience
* Using visuals and stories to captivate even the most restless of listeners
* Avoiding filler words and distracting voice patterns
* Winning an audience with substance, not sound bites

Filled with anecdotes and sage advice and written in a witty yet authoritative tone, Romancing the Room will help even novice speakers conquer podium fears, steady their voices, and convey informative messages like a pro.

About the Author

JAMES WAGSTAFFE a celebrated trial attorney, teaches Practical Speech Communications at Stanford University and is a regular columnist for the Los Angeles Daily Journal and the San Francisco Daily Journal. He lives in San Mateo, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press; 1 edition (March 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609805975
• ISBN-13: 978-0609805978
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #931,288 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I've engaged my audience and courted my crowd., May 29, 2002

By 

Elizabeth Keate (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Romancing the Room: How to Engage Your Audience, Court Your Crowd, and Speak Successfully in Public (Paperback)

I read Romancing the Room right before a big job interview - I stuck to a few guidelines - listen, don't apologize, identify with your audience, and be engaging. Needless to say this was probably the best interview of my life and yes I did get the job.
This book is as entertaining to read as it is useful. The autor's use of anecdotes are well placed and poignant - not to mention humorous. I would recommend this book to anyone who is afraid to give presentations, controlling a room full of people, dealing with their family, or just wants to be entertained. I hope there is a sequel!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you..., October 4, 2005

By 

Gerard Dubai (Maryland, US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Romancing the Room: How to Engage Your Audience, Court Your Crowd, and Speak Successfully in Public (Paperback)

...to the reviewer who took the time to say that the book was boring but then referenced many specific points out of the book. "A reader" has shown that even if you do not fully enjoy anecdotal writing you will still remember it. The points that Mr. Wagstaffe makes in his book will no doubt help one become a better speaker. It takes little more than remembering his acronyms and focusing on them to become a better and more confident speaker. Just remember, even the reviewer who did not enjoy the book still showed that they remembered the points.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Step-by-Step, June 25, 2004

By 

RTR Reviewer (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Romancing the Room: How to Engage Your Audience, Court Your Crowd, and Speak Successfully in Public (Paperback)

This book offers step by step help for those who are just plain not good at or afraid of public speaking. It helped me give a toast at a birthday party for a good friend which was well received. I don't think I would have even attempted it without having read this book. Also learn how to communicate more effectively with family members and co-workers. It's full of great tips for learning the skill of cocktail party conversation. People will like and remember YOU if you apply the skills in this book. The book is built on personal experience and useful for students, spouses, and employees who find themselves in all kids of unfamiliar or uncomfortable social situations. Also clearly and concisely written by someone who knows how to teach.