i ft\ H LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 027 249 435 6 Hollinger Corp. pH 8.5 FN 4121 .T7 Copy 1 Lincoln- Jefferson University Extension Department Lecture Effective Public Speaking* in Business Life By Thomas Clarkson Trueblood, A. M. Professor of Oratory University of Michigan Copyright, 190!), by Lincoln-Jefferson University ^ V By transfer The White House : ■; -•- 1913 EFFECTIVE PUBLIC SPEAKING IN BUSINESS LIFE. By Thomas C. Trueblood Effectiveness in public speaking is an asset that the business man as well as the public man should take into account. Train- ing in this art means development of many faculties and devel- opment along many lines of culture. It means that one in public or private address must cultivate the art of agreeableness, must so develop in voice, articulation, general manner, and in tact of expression as to impress favorably those whom one meets socially, in public life or in business transactions. Effectiveness in speaking is broad in its usefulness. It begins at home. What can give more pleasure in the home or social circle than the skillful reading by' one member of the family of some literary masterpiece, or even a magazine or newspaper arti- cle? It is a good place to begin training in public speech. The best reader of the family usualy does the reading. The variety and expressiveness of his voice affects the other members of the family favorably in that it sets a standard of expression which all try to emulate. If there is life and animation, even dramatic effectiveness, others when they read or talk will strive for like animation and effectiveness. One's tastes in vocal expression are determined in great measure by environment. To illustrate: Edwin Booth was constantly associated with his father on the stage and grew up with no other than the best notions of expres- siveness. The late Dr. Studley, who occupied the best pulpits in Boston, Cincinnati and Chicago, as a boy was accustomed to frequent the theatres of Boston. His older brother was an actor in a stock company and often played with Forrest, the Elder Booth, and MacCready. Young Studley was so imbued with ex- pressive interpretation that monotony and droning, so common in the reading and speaking heard in the pulpits, had no place in his makeup. He made it a daily practice to read aloud from the plays of Shakespeare. "Sometimes," he says, "I take up one of my favorite plays and find myself reading for two or three hours, when I am reminded that I must be at my sermons." This developed in him a voice of marvelous sweetness and power. The result was that his Bible and hymn readings were a revelation to his audiences. These instances and many more which might be added lead to the conclusion that one's early surroundings have everything to do with his tastes in interpretation, in vocal re- sponsiveness and expression. Now the value to the business man of these elements of power which are so useful in the home circle, on the stage, in the pulpit and on the platform make it impera- tive that he do not slight this phase of business training. Is it not reasonable that a business man whose voice and manner and ex- pression are agreeable, other things being equal, will do more business and do it with greater ease than the man whose voice 3 4 THOMAS C. TRUEBLOOD is harsh, whose expression is monotonous and whose manner is forbidding? If you were to go to the courts in search of a man to plead your cause, to manage a case involving thousands of dollars, would you select the man of awkward manner, of monot- onous voice, of poor reasoning power, or would you choose the man who is pleasing in manner and voice and persuasive as a speaker? Grant that these men are of equal scholarship, industry and legal acumen; I feel sure that the latter advocate would be chosen to conduct your case. A few years ago a young lad came to the University of Michi- gan who was much interested in public speaking and. who was bent on winning honors. He tried three successive years, rising higher in rank each time. The third time he was successful. He was chosen University orator and won the contest for the Uni- versity in the Northern Oratorical League in which he was pitted against representatives from six other universities. He then entered the debates and helped to win three victories for his Alma Mater. After leaving college he established himself in busi- ness in Detroit and offered his services as speaker in the political campaigns. Within two years he was elected State Senator, and though the youngest man in the Legislature he was called upon to put in nomination the successful candidate for the United. States Senate. . Later he was made a member of the State Con- stitutional Convention. All, I contend, because he persisted in learning the business of speaking. Another honor debater of the University secured desk room with one of the largest law firms in the city of Detroit. Within six months a will case involving half a million dollars was to come up for trial. This young man set to work to master the. law and the facts. . When the members of the firm came together to lay plans for the trial they found that the young debater knew more about the case than all the rest of them combined. The member' who usually makes the leading argument turned to the young man and said : "You will have to make the speech." He did make the speech and won the case. It was all because as a col- lege debater he had learned the business of investigation and the art of putting things. William Jennings Bryan, Senators Beveridge and LaFollette took part in college oratorical contests, the last two being win- ners of Interstate contests. Beveridge as a lawyer in Indianapolis steadily refused office that he might devote his time to his pro- fessional work, but he let it be known to the political managers that he was at their service as a campaigner. He made himself known in every hamlet in the State of Indiana, and when he sought the United States Senatorship the politicians could not refuse him because they were all under obligations to him. When he was made Senator he went to the Philippines to study the situation in our new possessions. When he returned and entered EFFECTIVE PUBLIC SPEAKING IN BUSINESS LIFE ■ 5 the Senate the leaders found that lie i ly one of their number who had visited those islands and the only one prepared to speak on the subject. He had learned the art of speaking and had the foresight to seize the opportunities in which he could use his skill for the public good. Without multiplying examples of similar successes I would call attention to another phase of speaking that should appeal especially to the business man. Almost all important business transactions are carried on in committees or in board meetings. Little is heard of many of our Congressmen and Senators in public speeches at Washington, but who will doubt that their short pithy speeches in the committee rooms have much to do with shaping national legislation. It is not the long speeches that are always most persuasive or that have most to dp in determining the trend of business affairs. The speech that has come to be the most famous in our annals is not the two-hour speech of Everett at Gettysburg but the two-minute speech of Lincoln on the same occasion. These are sufficient illustrations, it would seem, to make it clear to the young business man that it is wise to cultivate with stren- uous care his power of speech, a power which all men possess in varying degrees but which some have neither the grit nor the will to stimulate by exercise. The question naturally suggests itself, what preparation from a physical and an intellectual stand- point is necessary for effective public speaking? The body as an instrument of expression should be trained for symmetry, strength, endurance and nerve force. Symmetry is acquired by consistent development of the whole physical man. If possible young men between the ages of fourteen and twenty should place themselves in the hands of a good physical trainer ; at least they should have opportunity now and then for some wholesome advice on the care of the body. A good trainer will find out the parts of the body . that most need development, he will correct the carriage of the body, get the head and chest up in a manly, easy position ; in short, make as nearly a perfect form for his height as can be made of the man. Getting started right physically means much to men all their lives, for the accumulation of physical fitness and symmetry are much the same as the accu- mulation of mental resources when one is most impressionable. Not only is symmetry a requisite of physical preparedness but one must have strength. This comes from development of mus- cular fiber by exercise. This may come from the use of certain mechanical appliances but it may come from what is far more exhilarating and therefore more beneficial, from the participation in some outdoor game such as baseball, tennis or golf, vigorous physical exercise in which the mind is bent, not on the exercise, but on the desire to excel at the sport. This adds skill to- strength, for it should always be the idea to develop vitality not 6 THOMAS C. TRUEBLOOD brawn. Such exercise should be vigorous without being violent or excessive. The main purpose should be to develop the chief factors of good health, the heart, the lungs, the digestive appara- tus and the nervous system. No one can have endurance who has not these factors developed to approximate perfection. Strength of lungs comes from full chest expansion in the open air, the increase of lung capacity by exercises which expand and enlarge the air cells. Did you ever attempt to declaim while walking briskly? The feeling of oppression in the lungs is caused by nature's effort to supply more air than there is room for. The double requirement of muscular exercise in walking and in speak- ing calls for much more than the ordinary amount of air. This we get by more rapid breathing, and wider expansion cz the lungs. We learn that Demosthenes declaimed while climbing the hills about Athens. It was for the purpose of gaining lung power and hence endurance. Can the youth of today do wiser than to follow the plan of the most celebrated of ancient orators? The new philosophy of open air and fresh air all the time is improving the strength and endurance of the race. A sound heart must have healthful blood, healthful blood requires whole- some food and complete oxygenation. To contribute to the gen- eral endurance of the body the heart must have vigorous exercise. It is muscular and must be developed as other muscles by giving it more than the ordinary exercise to add to its strength and en- durance. Likewise nerve force depends upon the elements of good health already mentioned. Without good food, good digestion and good blood the nerves cannot be properly nourished, and cannot endure the strain of thought and life of those seeking success in business, and especially in those professions that require public speaking. Not only should the body be trained for strength and endur- ance but it should be trained for grace and ease of bearing, ges- ture and other bodily movements. How may one acquire ease of bearing? In the first place the public speaker should learn how to stand on the platform. Positions that are restful and entirely excusable in one's own apartments would not be tolerated on the platform. An attitude appropriate on deck of a lurching ship would be out of place in public speaking, unless it be used for the purposes of impersonation. Awkward and inappropriate gestures and attitudes detract from effectiveness because they call attention away from the thought to the manner of the speaker. For all prac- tical purposes of speaking the body should be held erect, the head up and the chest active. The weight should be nearly equally poised on both feet and legs. One foot should be advanced from four to six inches and directed from the heel of the back foot. The angle between the feet should be a little less than a right angle. Variety and rest may be had by exchanging the relative position of the feet but preserving the same conditions. This gives a firm, EFFECTIVE PUBLIC SPEAKING IN BUSINESS LIFE 7 strong position without the effect of the military position on the one hand, or the lazy bent-kneed position on the other. Practice in this position if kept up for a while will make one free and easy in position and make former inappropriate attitudes seem awkward and uncomfortable. The position just described is the normal position in public address and is appropriate in most forms of argument, didactic discourse, narration and description where there is no great display of feeling or emotion. But there are times when the force of sympathy, great in- terest or appeal will draw one nearer to the people. Then the body inclines forward, the feet taking another distinct position. The forward foot is extended several inches in advance of the normal position and receives the weight of the body. The heel of the back foot is lifted slightly from the floor and rests upon the ball of the foot as a kind of balance to the body. This position may be practiced very profitably by stepping forward alternately with the right and left foot, halting with the weight on the for- ward foot and extending the hands as if in welcome or appeal. Another physical requirement very desirable for the public speaker is ease r of gesture. When one's gestures are angular, out of time and lack force they are noticeable and in so far are awk- ward and ineffective. It was said of Wendell Phillips that he seldom used gestures, but the experts who studied his methods while he was speaking say that he was constantly gesturing. Every movement was so appropriate and so necessary that none was noticed. Phillips acquired this skill by practice upon simple movements that bear on grace of gesture. One should visit art galleries and study positions of arms and hands in sculpture and painting, visit the theatre where the best of players are perform- ing and study their bodily movements in the expression of various passions. But better still one should place oneself in charge of a teacher who understands the fundamental principles of gesture, the states of feeling expressed by those principles and the meth- ods of acquiring effectiveness. It will be enough here to call at- tention to the fact that the open or supine hand is used in appeal- ing, asking, welcome, giving, receiving, revealing ; the prone, with palm down, in blessing, caressing, moulding, shaping, concealing, denying ; the index or forefinger, in enumerating, designating points of argument, particularizing, rebukes ; and the clenched fist, known perfectly well to all peoples of the world, in menace, de- fiance, attack or the expression of great emphasis or vitality. There are other principles but these are the four most used by the public speaker. Practice on these principles may be had by the simple method of counting, by threes, i, 2, 3, or by fives, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, emphasizing the last count in each set with one of the principles of gesture just discussed. Such practice will give ease, force and woper timing of gesture. 8 THOMAS C. TRUEBLOOD Conception of gesture is the next point of vital importance. There should be no gesture without the impulse or desire to en- force the thought with some bodily movement. A gesture would better be awkward or out of time than without impulse. Then the speaker should make his theme more prominent than himself. He should hide behind his subject and lead his audience to think and feel with him. The tendency of the public speaker to act out things which should be left to the imagination should be carefully guarded against. The speaker should personate only when utter- ing the direct word, or the strong emotion of a character, and should make a clear distinction between the reciter and the actor. For example in the following lines : "Then whirling up his broadsword With both hands to the height, He rushed against Horatius, And smote with all his might," it is not necessary to undertake the action described. This does not mean that there should be no action but that what is used should be suggestive, not personative. The action may be pointed out by the describer and pictured to the imagination but not actu- ally clone. The actor, on the other hand, is aided by costume, scenery and his support. He draws and sheathes his sword, gives a letter or a book. The orator or reader cannot do this.- He may extend his hand with an imaginary letter and open his hand to receive a material thing but he must leave the rest to the imagina- tion of the audience. In this connection.it should be noted that one should not literalize figurative language. For example, in the sentence, "I appeal to the heart of the nation," there need be no literal action toward one's own heart to make this thought im- pressive. The most important element in physical development for speak- ing is vocal effectiveness. The voice as an instrument should be trained to meet the requirements of purity, strength and flexibil- ity. If well developed in these particulars the voice is capable of responding to every requirement in expression. Purity of tone requires free vibration of the vocal cords, a healthfulness of the resonance cavities and the vocalization of all the breath used. Strength depends upon the breadth of vibrations of the cords and the power to project and sustain the tones. Flexibility depends upon the elasticity of the vocal cords and upon one's power to vary the tones through the scale of pitch. Vocal culture, which is necessary to develop these attributes of voice, is dependent upon correct breathing. If the method of breathing is correct, vocalization becomes voice culture. But even with the best of methods the voice must not be overworked. It must have rest and time to grow. The law of correct breathing in vocalization is as follows : In taking in breath there should be an increase of the size of the waist and the lower chest ; in expira- EFFECTIVE PUBLIC SPEAKING IN BUSINESS LIFE 9 tion there should be a decrease in the size of the waist and the lower chest. The chest should begin to enlarge from its lowest depths. The lungs are. the bellows of the vocal apparatus, and like a bellows it must be acted upon at its largest part, that part farthest from the point. To attempt to supply air for voice pro- duction with the niuscles of the upper part of the chest and throat would be as sensible as to squeeze the point of a bellows in blowing a fire. No one can make consistent progress vocally who depends chiefly upon the muscles of the upper chest. To acquire the use of the waist and abdominal muscles the fol- lowing exercise has been found adequate in the most stubborn cases : With a slight occlusive cough of uh, sound each of the syllables, ha, he, hi, ho, hu, three times, thus : uh-ha, uh-ha, uh-ha, uh-he, uh-he, uh-he, etc. Take breath after each set, with special care that the waist line is expanded in catching breath and is de- creased gradually by the impulses of vocalization. Having acquired right methods of breathing then comes the process of vocal culture. A few of the best exercises are as follows : i. Practice the vowel sounds a, e,~i, 6, as follows: Each sound is given four times and then some word containing the sound. For example : a, a, a, a, ale ; e, e, e, e, eve ; etc. 2. For strength of articulation along with vocal drill, practice the consonants, b, d, g, 1, m, r, in a similar manner, thus : b, b, b, b, boy ; d, d, d, d, dog, etc. 3. For range and flexibility of pitch sound the vowels a, e, i, 6, up and down the scale in spoken tones as though in question and answer, thus: Did I say a/ or \a; e./ or \e; etc. After using the words of the question a few times omit them and speak the vowels, thus : a/, a\ ; e/, e\ ; etc. : 4. Combine the vowels and consonants in the following table, first the vowels with the consonants, as ab, ad, ag, av ; then the con- sonants with the vowels as ba, be, bi, bo ; etc. a— b a— d e— b e— d i— b i— d 0— b 0— d a— g a — v e — g e — v i__ g i — v 0— g O ;V This was the favorite exercise of Wendell Phillips, at Harvard, and it was similar exercise that Henry Ward Beecher practiced daily during his college course, exercises which laid the foundation for his. marvelous vocal effectiveness in his later years. Moreover the business man to be effective as a speaker must articulate well and pronounce according to good authority. An audience will. tolerate many crudities in a speaker but they insist on hearing and understanding him. A clean-cut definite articula- tion is the basis of good delivery. If the utterance be indistinct the audience must strain to understand the words. Under such 10 THOMAS C. TRUEBLOOD strain they grow weary and listless. Clear enunciation will re- lieve the audience of the strain for words and permit them to devote themselves to the thought. The law of correct articulation is strength of contact and quickness of release of the articulating organs. Skill comes from practice as in everything else. The best exercises are to be found in the combinations of consonants; initial, e. g. br, bl, dr, dw, etc., and the terminal combinations, e. g, bdst, bldst, rbz, dz, etc. Then one should collect the most difficult clauses and sentences which one finds in reading or speak- ing, of if necessary make up difficult combinations, e. g. : "The Japanese sink six Russian ships." "Flesh of freshly fried flying fish." "The bleak breeze blighted the bright blossoms. " "A world too wide for his shrunk shanks." Good pronunciation is a mark of culture. To pronounce well one must hear good pronunciation. It must become a habit, a second nature, and so easy as not to attract attention. Pronun- ciation is established by the usage of people of social and intel- lectual culture. The dictionary is the record of that usage and should be studied and followed by the masses. A standard dic- tionary is the most useful hand book not only for pronunciation but for definition and derivation of words. When one hears a mispronunciation note should be taken of the word that the dic- tionary may be consulted in case of doubt at the earliest moment. A list of a few hundred such words that are commonly mispro- nounced if practiced faithfully will not only give accuracy in pronunciation, but will extend the vocabulary, improve the dic- tion and enlarge one's general knowledge of the English lan- guage. Hand books of such words are numerous and quite inex- pensive. Another element that must not be overlooked is proper empha- sis. This is the special prominence given to words in their rela- tion to each other. It develops discrimination and perspective. It teaches one to pass easily and lightly over the unimportant parts and give weight to important parts, what Shakespeare calls "trippingly on the tongue." The law of correct emphasis is this : When a Word introduces. or becomes an important part of a new idea it is emphatic. This implies that when ideas have been ex- pressed or presupposed, words reintroducing them, except for the purpose of emphasis, are subordinated. E. g., "Let me have a country or at least the hope of a country and that a free coun- try." In order to determine the proper place of emphasis in a sentence one should ask what the central idea is and what words one can least afford to dispense with. Instead of beginning to declaim a sentence think how one would say it colloquially to a friend. Another effective way of finding the emphasis is by changing the words about in the sentence or by paraphrasing it. One thus ascertains the purpose of the sentence before giving ex- EFFECTIVE PUBLIC SPEAKING IN BUSINESS LIFE 11 pression to it. A grievous fault is excessive emphasis which de- feats its own purpose by particularizing too much. When one tries to make everything emphatic nothing is emphatic. It is like excess of color, without light and shade, and without per- spective. Words should be made strong by giving them a set- ting different from words near them, by elevating or lowering them in pitch, by lengthening the inflection, by giving them more time, by pausing before and after them, by changing the character of the tone in quality, form or stress. It is the pleasing and natural variety of speech which holds attention and gives oppor- tunity for instruction and persuasion. It is by means of the ele- ments of vocal expression that emphasis is secured, that truth is set forth, that fallacy is avoided, for bad emphasis gives wrong impressions and is therefore bad logic. To illustrate: Supplied words in the Bible are italicised but it does not follow that they are emphatic. The word him in the following verse is such a word. The preacher who emphasized it was guilty of a fallacy: "And he spake to his sons, saying, 'Saddle me the ass/ and they saddled him." — Kings xiii, 27. But this suggests that a thorough study of the elements of vocal expression should be made by the student of public speak- ing. It is as necessary to the success of a speaker as the science of mathematics is to the astronomer, or a knowledge of the elements of chemistry to the pharmacist. Such a study is wholly beyond the limits of this article. There are many books on the princi- ples of expression and many good teachers of the subject. Both books and teachers should be employed by the student of oratory until a working knowledge of the subject is gained. Let us now consider the personal preparation of the student from an intellectual standpoint and from the standpoint of the speech itself. It is the duty of the student to broaden his general culture as much as possible because of its influence upon life in general and particularly upon his work as a public man. It is the best way to prolong the period of youth, for he who is earnest in the pursuit of ideas and useful experience has no time to brood over trouble or think of the 'fills that flesh is heir to." Breadth of mind, wide knowledge and wholesome experience strengthen personality and personal power. Knowledge and experience are the basis of speech. One cannot hope to speak well without wide general knowledge, and without special information on the question to be discussed. Breadth of culture and attainment add to general usefulness and personal strength, and special or pro- fessional knowledge adds to the usefulness of the speaker for a particular occasion and for the special subject under investiga- tion and discussion. Rhetoric and oratory are means to the end of establishing truth, and no one can hope to succeed as a public man unless he reaches sound conclusions in regard to public problems. He can 12 THOMAS C: TRUEBLOOD only reach those conclusions by thorough knowledge of the ques- tion in all its phases. He must not only know his side of the case, but he must get the view-point of the opposition. Lincoln's success in his debates with Douglas was due to his untiring en- ergy in seeking the arguments most likely to be presented by Douglas, and in meeting those arguments with fairness and con- sistency. The man who blindly proceeds without taking into ac- count what his opponent is likely to say is sure to be tripped up in debate. It was the custom of Fox, the great English parlia- mentarian, to state the case of the opposition stronger than they ,ould put it themselves and then overthrow it point by point. Common sense, logical skill, knowledge of men are essential points in preparation for public speaking. It is much to know the facts in a case, it is more to "show judgment in the presenta- tion of argument and tact in the adaptation of thought to the occasion. Skill in the fitness of argument comes from practice in speaking, from the confidence one gains in repeated effort, from the stimulation one receives from the actual measuring of his strength with that of others. No one can attain skill in swim- ming or in tennis by reading about them. Skill comes from the trial and the practice. After one has gained a working knowl- edge of the essentials of public speaking he should immediately put those principles into practice by writing and speaking. The first condition for the preparation of a speech is the mas- tery of the material on the subect by reading and observation. In taking notes it is suggested that the card system should be used, i. e., cards or slips of paper three or four inches long and half as wide. Each Card is devoted to a separate idea so that when one is through -gathering material and a working outline has been made one may shuffle the cards into logical order. In taking notes one should gather thought in one's own language unless of course the intention is to quote. It is also desirable that the sources of information should be carefully preserved for future reference in case one should want to cite authority more fully. After having gathered the material and mastered the underlying principles the next step in the progress of the spe*ech is the de- velopment of a more mature plan. There will be the usual gen- eral divisions, the introduction, the discussion and the conclu- sion. It should be the purpose of the introduction to get posses- sion of the audience, to conciliate them and create a friendly feel- ing toward himself, and to arouse interest in the subject under consideration. Each sentence of the introduction should bear directly on the subject. The style should be simple, more in the nature of narrative, historical or expository. Proof and persua- sion should be excluded from this part of the discourse. It is usual at the conclusion of the introduction to set forth the main topics or issues to be considered. EFFECTIVE PUBLIC SPEAKING IN BUSINESS LIFE 13 ' The discussion proper takes up these main divisions and treats them separately, developing them fully and in logical order. Usually the first part of the speech is historical in character, the middle portion considers the present status of the subject, and the last part offers a solution of the problem and suggests a hope- ful outlook. There should be a growth, of interest with each di- vision. Exposition and argument. should always precede, persua- sion. But this does not mean that persuasion may not be intro- duced in the body of the speech when an argument has made a telling effect. It may be introduced whenever conviction has been reached. But the parts that are usually most fitting for the use of persuasion are the ends of the divisions of the speech, and the conclusion. The whole speech should be climatic in character, a growth from the first, with the main purpose of the speech kept steadily in view. A speech to be thoroughly interest- ing must not be too abstract. A few good stories will add to the interest. Get the audience wide awake, get their mouths open with a laugh and then throw in a morsel of wisdom. The conclusion should be in the nature of a summary of the main points of the speech, a marshalling in review of the intel- lectual forces called into the conflict. It gives opportunity for great force of expression and appeal, a final chance to awaken the con- science of the audience, to bring before them loftiest sentiments and ideals, to reach the highest moral level of the speech. It is the supreme opportunity for persuasiveness. To be effective one must be convinced that he is right and urge his convictions with all the force and effect he can command. Inquiry is often made by young students as to the best form of outline for a speech. The following is a skeleton form that is used ^pretty generally by students of public speaking in the Uni- versity of Michigan. It will be observed that no letters are used in the brief except Roman letters for the main divisions of the dis- cussion. The numerals are more useful in oral address if occa- sion requires the naming of headings in order. Introduction. II I I 2 (I). 3 [i] 2 Discussion. III. I i I (i) (I) • 2.... (2)-. (I). [I] [I] ••• 3--. v •• ( i) Conclusion. (2) I 2 14 THOMAS C. TRUEBLOOD - The brief differs from the outline in that each division is a com- plete proposition or statement, so that in reading it one may easily get the gist of the argument. It is easy to see that a brief ex- tended by the introduction of evidence, authority and illustration becomes a speech. The question is often asked whether students should speak from memory or extemporize as far as words are concerned. It depends upon the occasion. In an oratorical con- test where one is limited in time or in words one should of course commit his production. In a debate there should be an intermin- gling of the two methods. If the speech is fifteen minutes in length at least a third of the time should be allowed for extempo- rizing in rebuttal and in adapting oneself to what the opponents are doing. This gives opportunity for "tackling," that is, meeting at once and grappling the arguments of the opposition. You can- not foresee the course an opponent will take with sufficient accu- racy wholly to write and commit. Then it lacks the life and spon- taneity of "the give and take" method of extemporization. The main arguments may be prepared and committed but opportunity should be left for immediate adaptation. As one advances in life and becomes more skilled in the art of speaking, it becomes more and more slavish for him to commit a speech. Most great orators have used the method of writing their earlier speeches but of gradually relinquishing the habit of com- mitting verbatim as they have grown more fluent. While the stu- dent is advised to write and commit in the beginning, he is also advised to cultivate fluency and freedom to the extent that he may leave to the moment the selection of the 'exact words. Every self- respecting public speaker should write out his speeches, because writing stimulates thought and the logical process, because it im- proves the diction and extends the vocabulary, because the phrases coined in the study will stick in the memory without effort, and because it is a compliment to the audience for one to make thor- ough preparation. With a bare outline in the mind or on a few slips of paper, with perhaps a few paragraphs of special impor- tance committed, the speaker goes before his audience and is ready to yield to touches of inspiration which come oftenest to him who has made thorough preparation in his study. Now a word as to directness and earnestness m delivery. To be direct one must speak to not at or over his audience. Direct- ness is the searching-out element which is so charming in conver- sation, and which should be carried into public address. It is strange why so many men get up in the pulpit or on the platform and assume an ethereal air, and take on the "heavenly tone." The singsong, chanting method destroys directness. No one who is in earnest when he has information to give or an appeal to make is going to sing it out. The best way to get directness is to speak to a few friends in a small room and call their names one after the other in opening IftflSCTIVE PUBLIC SPEAKING IN BUSINESS LIFE 15 consecutive sentences. Look at them and talk to them and let most gestures be between you and them; and then be earnest. How can one expect to move others and be half-hearted himself ? One should not only know the subject thoroughly and believe in the message, but one should be physically, mentally and morally earnest about it. The desire to serve men in the highest sense is a source of moral earnestness. It begets self-respect and moral courage, prime elements in the effectiveness of the public speaker. BOOKS OF REFERENCE ELOCUTION 1. Practical Elocution, Fulton and Trueblood; Ginn & Co., Boston. 2. Essentials of Public Speaking, Fulton and Trueblood; Ginn & Co., Boston. 3. Principles of Vocal Expression, Chamberlain & Clark ; Scott, Foresman & Co., Chicago. 4. The Orator's Manual, Raymond ; S. C. Griggs & Co., Chi- cago. 5. Principles of Public Speaking, Lee ; Putnam & Co., New York. 6. Analytic Elocution, Murdoch; Amer. Book Co., New York. 7. Province of Expression, Curry ; Boston. ORATORY 1. Effective Speaking, Phillips; The Newton Co., Chicago. 2. How to Attract and Hold an Audience, Essenwein ; Hinds & Noble, N. Y. 3. Modern American Oratory, Ringwalt; Henry Holt & Co., New York, 4. The Rhetoric of Oratory, Shurter; Macmillan & Co., Chi- cago. 5. Extempore Speaking, Shurter ; Ginn & Co., Boston. 6. Extemporaneous Oratory, Buckley ; Curts & Jennings, N. Y. 7. Forms of Public Address, Baker ; Henry Holt & Co., N. Y. DEBATING 1. Argumentation and Debate, Lay cock and Scales ; Macmillan & Co., Chicago. 2. Principles of Argumentation, Baker ; Ginn & Co., Boston. 3. Argumentation- and Debating, Foster; Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston. 4. Essentials of Argumentation, McEwan ; D. C Heath & Co., Boston. 5. Art of Debate, Alden; Henry Holt & Co.* N. Y. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 027 249 435 6 \ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 027 249 435 6 Hollinger Corp. pH 8.5