In reading Quentin Schultze’s book, An Essential Guide to Public Speaking, for the second time, I was struck by how important truthful and virtuous speaking is to an audience. The first time I read this book, I had no experience in public speaking, and I did not think that there was much to the practice. Now, a little over a year later, I am coming from a much different perspective. I have been privileged with a fair share of public speaking: small gatherings, addressing the Iowa House and Senate, and huge throngs of people at various Tulip Festival venues. I lay all of this out to illustrate that the most effective speeches that I have given, and the most enjoyable speeches that I have heard always have a few things in common: concise language,
