What I found useful in chapter 2 and chapter 4.

I will admit that this public speaking book seemed like a typical book that told us what we already know. It will just go into more depths on each subject. But as I sat down to read it, it can actually relate to me a lot. I'm sure it relates to every person who has to do public speaking, but it's amazing how it can get all of the emotions and what not just right.
Chapter 2 described about the whole process of how to calm yourself down before and during your speech. The breathing exercises came back up again. Those are probably helpful, but I can't picture myself pausing for so long up there in front of the audience. Dressing appropriately would build your confidence and I agree with that completely. It brings the whole vibe together that way. It also mentions for the speakers to "make no apologies or excuses". Even though people shouldn't do this, I still hear people making such excuses as "Well I misplaced my memory stick, so now I can't show you guys the slides I made." and so on. I won't say that I have never made an excuse or some apology, but I didn't think this was any big deal. But that's another thing that I learned from reading this chapter so I shall be leaving out the lame excuses, if any. :]

As for choosing topics for a speech discussed about in chapter 4, this process is somewhat hard for me, because even though there are plenty of topics to choose from, I want to choose something that interests me and also interests others. I don't want to choose an ordinary topic and bore the audience. I want them to instantly think "Oh hey wow, why didn't I think of a topic like that". So I spend a lot of time brainstorming and thinking about what topics to really talk about that would grasp the audeince's attention throughout my whole speech. The chapter also mentions about writing the thesis down. I think this is important, because from what you have to say [your main points] you're going to make sure that it can still lead back to your main topic.