Speech Writing for The People, by the People, and of the People

What are the elements of a good speech? Granted, a competent speechwriter must juggle a speech’s pace, flow, alliteration, core themes, aesthetic and also emotional qualities. But how do you blend seamlessly all these elements without conveying a woolly-headed or convoluted message? The answer is not simple and the learning path is not straightforward. Some people are just innately able to write great speeches in a short time. Abraham Lincoln apparently wrote his Gettysburg Address—probably one of the best speeches ever in the history of mankind—in less than two days. Thankfully, for the rest of us without a natural ability to pen celebrated addresses, there are infinite resources available for free just one click away. For example, About.com is very helpful, featuring a whole section on speech writing. Also, there are good speech samples here and, of course, there is a blog with a ton of speechwriting ideas a tips. In addition, you can get inspired by reading historic speeches, such as Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" or Edmund Burke's "Speech on conciliation with the colonies." 

History of Economic Thought Quiz

The economic science available in textbooks can be pretty dull. In the last fifty years, math has become a core component of modern economics, turning centuries-old concepts into mere excuses for mathematical formulas and models. In fact, a popular t-shirt's message among modern economists reads, "economists like to do it with models." However, economics can be fun and interesting if placed in the context of human stories and real-life experiences. Indeed, economist John Maynard Keynes once said, "Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influence, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist." Two great books that present economic ideas by narrating the lives of famous defunct economists are "The Worldly Philosophers" and "The Making of Modern Economics." However, you can read about prominent economists' lives for free on-line. Just ask Google or Wikipedia. Moreover, after you read everything you want to know about Adam Smith, John M. Keynes or Joseph Schumpeter, you can test your freely-obtained knowledge with this quick quiz.