Max Atkinson
Encyclopedia
Dr Max Atkinson is an author. He is a former advisor and speech writer for Paddy Ashdown
, now noted as a blog
ger for his commentary on public communications.
Atkinson holds a PhD from the University of Essex
and was a research fellow there in the late 60's.
In his book Our Masters' Voices, Atkinson was the first to describe a set of simple verbal techniques that trigger applause during political speeches. A Granada Television
World in Action
programme showed how he coached a woman with no previous experience of public speaking to use the techniques and win a standing ovation at the annual conference of the Social Democratic Party
. Sir Robin Day, commenting for BBC
television, described the experience as ‘The most refreshing speech we’ve heard so far.’
In 1985, Atkinson ran a seminar on speech writing in the White House
during Ronald Reagan
's Presidency. He later became advisor to Paddy Ashdown
, then the leader of the Liberal Democrats
. Ashdown said: "There was scarcely a single major speech, in my eleven years as leader of the Liberal Democrats that I made without benefiting from Max Atkinson’s personal advice and help."
Atkinson is Visiting Professor at the Henley Management College.
Paddy Ashdown
Jeremy John Durham Ashdown, Baron Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon, GCMG, KBE, PC , usually known as Paddy Ashdown, is a British politician and diplomat....
, now noted as a blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
ger for his commentary on public communications.
Atkinson holds a PhD from the University of Essex
University of Essex
The University of Essex is a British campus university whose original and largest campus is near the town of Colchester, England. Established in 1963 and receiving its Royal Charter in 1965...
and was a research fellow there in the late 60's.
In his book Our Masters' Voices, Atkinson was the first to describe a set of simple verbal techniques that trigger applause during political speeches. A Granada Television
Granada Television
Granada Television is the ITV contractor for North West England. Based in Manchester since its inception, it is the only surviving original ITA franchisee from 1954 and is ITV's most successful....
World in Action
World in Action
World in Action was a British investigative current affairs programme made by Granada Television from 1963 until 1998. Its campaigning journalism frequently had a major impact on events of the day. Its production teams often took audacious risks and gained a solid reputation for its often...
programme showed how he coached a woman with no previous experience of public speaking to use the techniques and win a standing ovation at the annual conference of the Social Democratic Party
Social Democratic Party (UK)
The Social Democratic Party was a political party in the United Kingdom that was created on 26 March 1981 and existed until 1988. It was founded by four senior Labour Party 'moderates', dubbed the 'Gang of Four': Roy Jenkins, David Owen, Bill Rodgers and Shirley Williams...
. Sir Robin Day, commenting for BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
television, described the experience as ‘The most refreshing speech we’ve heard so far.’
In 1985, Atkinson ran a seminar on speech writing in the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
during Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
's Presidency. He later became advisor to Paddy Ashdown
Paddy Ashdown
Jeremy John Durham Ashdown, Baron Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon, GCMG, KBE, PC , usually known as Paddy Ashdown, is a British politician and diplomat....
, then the leader of the Liberal Democrats
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
. Ashdown said: "There was scarcely a single major speech, in my eleven years as leader of the Liberal Democrats that I made without benefiting from Max Atkinson’s personal advice and help."
Atkinson is Visiting Professor at the Henley Management College.
Books
Max Atkinson's books include:- Our Masters' Voices: Language and Body Language of Politics, Routledge, 1984.
- Lend Me Your Ears: All You Need to Know About Making Speeches and Presentations, Vermilion, 2004.
- Speech-making and Presentation MADE EASY, Vermilion, 2008.
External links
- Max Atkinson's blog
- Max Atkinson's website
- http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/June-2007/The-Speech/index.php?cp=5&si=4Max Atkinson's comments on Barack ObamaBarack ObamaBarack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
's oratory] - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article4799417.eceArticle by Max Atkinson in relation to Gordon BrownGordon BrownJames Gordon Brown is a British Labour Party politician who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 until 2010. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Labour Government from 1997 to 2007...
's oratory] - Guidance by Max Atkinson in relation to public speaking