Why Bad Presentations Happen to Good Causes - The Goodman ...

pg. 46
Improving Your Delivery
Just Be Yourself. Only Better. – cont’d
Two words of warning before you start using your license to kill (comedically speaking,
that is): Your subject matter or the circumstances of your presentation may set limits
on what is appropriate. (Just ask anyone who spoke publicly in the days and weeks
immediately following 9/11.) So always proceed with caution. And if you do not feel that
humor is your strong suit, please do not feel compelled to start with a joke just because
some book claims that comedy is sure-fire stuff for speaking success. Few things are more
cringe inducing than watching a humor-challenged presenter trying to tell a joke. It’s just
painful. So spare the audience, spare yourself, and get on with it.