James Brown sang “I feel good…knew that I would.” Shouldn’t he have said “I feel well” instead? No, it would have destroyed the rhyme scheme. And “well” would have been wrong. This one is tricky because “good” is an adjective; “well” is an adverb. And you may recall that adverbs modify verbs (as in “speak slowly”). So it certainly looks as if the adverb “well” would be the right choice to modify the verb “feel.” But here’s a quirk: verbs relating to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste) need adjectives to modify them. For example, “It looks good,” “It tastes good,” “It smells good,” are all correct. Thus, “I feel good” is also correct. So James Brown gets an A for grammar.

Want to learn more? Consider my two writing seminars: Business Writing in Plain English and Goof-Proof Grammar.

Read all entries in The Written Word
Posted Thursday, March 06, 2008 | Link to entry

Already on my Resources page I’ve recommended several books I’ve learned from over the years. Those references will remain posted there; new additions, however, will be featured here.

Several of my friends, colleagues, and readers have sent me copies of books they have written and I am trying to give them a thorough reading. As I make it through the backlog, I’ll post my observations. (Don’t worry, if I don’t like the book, I won’t saying anything about it). So if you’ve written a book or produced an audio or video on speaking or writing skills, let me know. If I like it and learn from it, I’ll post it here in Dave’s Raves.

Read all entries in Dave's Raves
Posted Saturday, March 01, 2008 | Link to entry

I’ve been privileged to have spoken in 22 countries and each one of them holds a special memory. The hospitality afforded me has been simply astonishing. So to show my appreciation, I want to share some of my travel experiences with the rest of my readers.

In the next few weeks I’ll be posting some of my favorite photos and observations about the exotic and exciting adventures that I have enjoyed with many of you. Here’s how you can help: if you have a photo of me while I attended one of your events, please send me an e-mail (use the Contact button at the top right of each page on this website). Don’t send the photos just yet; I’ll give you instructions on how to send them. But with your help, I’ll be able to build a photo album and travelogue showcasing our time and travels together. 

Read all entries in On the Road Again
Posted Saturday, March 01, 2008 | Link to entry

If you enter “financial presentations” in Google, the first non-paid entry that pops up is an article titled 10 Tips for Effective Financial Presentations. Written by Sally Herigstad, the article features my explanation of how PowerPoint can be an effective tool when making financial presentations. Many speakers, having heard the unfortunate phrase “death by PowerPoint,” jump to the conclusion that PowerPoint is something to avoid. But, as this article illustrates PowerPoint can be effectively used in any type of presentation, as long as it is used with judicious restraint.

Read all entries in In The News
Posted Sunday, January 13, 2008 | Link to entry

What does a meeting planner need to know when looking for the right speaker? That’s exactly what I explain in an interview published in Texas Meetings + Events magazine. Written by April Miller, the article features Texas’ two World Champions of Public Speaking: Jim Key (2003) and me. We offer advice on such topics as why “celebrity speakers” may not be your best choice, how to get more for your money when hiring a speaker, and what to look for when reviewing a speaker’s promotional materials. To read the article titled Best of Show, click here.

Read all entries in In The News
Posted Saturday, January 12, 2008 | Link to entry