Synopses & Reviews
Award-winning teacher Mary Lou Walker presents 10 clear rules to making conversation rewarding and fulfilling in this casual compendium of wit and wisdom. Positing that conversation groups, or colloquies, make the perfect social antidote in todays culture of tweeting and texting, she infuses each step with valuable life-lessons to help develop character and likability while mastering the art of engaging with others through dialogue. Ideal for starting colloquies in the living room, classroom, or public library, her instructions include: dont steal the subject,” probe, dont pry,” dont take the bait,” and think before you speak.” Through real-life examples, Mary Lou demonstrates how to speak easy” with civility on all matters from high brow to low brow, with no topic off-limits.
Review
This delightful book is packed with wit and wisdom. The authors have zeroed in on an aspect of civility that few of us have achieved, but all of us need. They have convinced me that conversation is more than what you do to pass time with others; it is an act of communion. This book is a must have for anyone searching for the secret to healthy relationships.” Donna Hicks, Ph.D., associate, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University
Synopsis
SPEAK EASY offers ten rules for engaging conversation by Mary Lou Walker, a former New York State Teacher of the Year. Whether you are a sparkling asset to a party or painfully shy or simply unsure how to share your point of view, observing these rules will take you to a new level in conversation and in life! As you learn how to speak easy on matters high, low, and in between, you will break away from stale, mundane, and repetitive talk and develop a new and enduring source of enjoyment. Mary Lou is a champion of the colloquy, which is something like a book club, but without the book. Speak Easy lays the groundwork for starting a colloquy in your own living room, classroom or public library. In these conversation groups, or wherever life may take you, no topics need to be off-limits. As long as you follow the rules from #1: Don't Steal the Subject to #10: Keep Your Cool your conversations can be rich, rewarding, and just plain fun.