Writing Boots

On communication, professional and otherwise.

Seen in my daughter’s bookbag

02.15.2011 by David Murray // 3 Comments

First-grader Scout is on the honor roll, and home comes a "Certificate of Achievement," signed by the principal and the homeroom teacher, with a Wendy's logo on top.

Scout is a member of "Wendy's All-Stars," and the certificate is good for "a tasty reward that's better than any other!"

A fast-food hamburger.

Categories // Uncategorized

Is the post-speech Q&A still worth doing?

02.14.2011 by David Murray // 21 Comments

Last week I presented my "Speechwriting Jam Session" to 300 people who are involved in the creation of speeches at the United Nations.

It was fun and well-received, and as I told them, my "talk at the U.N." is something I will casually but persistently mention to my grandchildren, so that they can scratch their heads and think, "Maybe Gramps wasn't always so daft."

But the bigger the speaking platform, the faster the air goes out when you get to the airport and get a drink in your hand. And so you indulge in this sort of thing.


I don't really think that.

Well, I kind of do. At the Vital Speeches blog, I lay out a more rational argument for killing the Q&A. Here or over there, I'd love to talk more about this subject, with veterans of both ends of the post-speech Q&A.

Categories // Uncategorized Tags // democracy, Q&A, Speechwriting Jam Sesssion, United Nations

Mubarak has feelings too

02.12.2011 by David Murray // 1 Comment

Yesterday I told Scout about Egypt.

"The people said they didn't like the president," I said.

"Oh my gosh! Right in front of him?"

Categories // Uncategorized

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 1100
  • 1101
  • 1102
  • 1103
  • 1104
  • …
  • 1371
  • Next Page »

Now Available

An Effort to Understand

Order Now

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE BLOG UPDATES

About

David Murray writes on communication issues.
Read More

 

Categories

  • Baby Boots
  • Communication Philosophy
  • Efforts to Understand
  • Happy Men, and Other Eccentrics
  • Human Politicians
  • Mister Boring
  • Murray Cycle Diaries
  • Old Boots
  • Rambling, At Home and Abroad
  • Sports Stories
  • The Quotable Murr
  • Typewriter Truths
  • Uncategorized
  • Weird Scenes Inside the Archives

Archives

Copyright © 2025 ยท Log in

  • Preorder An Effort to Understand
  • Sign Up for Blog Updates
  • About David Murray