I am not familiar with the books which have been lately published
which give directions for public speaking. So I dare say
that what I have to advise is already well known to young
men, and that all I can say has been said much better. But
I will give the result of my own experience and observation.
In managing the voice, the speaker when he is engaged in earnest
conversation, commonly and naturally falls into the best tone
and manner for public speaking. Suppose you are sitting about
a table with a dozen friends, and some subject is started
in which you are deeply interested. You engage in an earnest
and serious dialogue with one of them at the other end of
the table. You are perfectly at ease, not caring in the least
for your manner or tone of voice, but only for your thought.
The tone you adopt then will ordinarily be the best tone for
you in public speaking. You can, however, learn from teachers
or friendly critics to avoid any harsh or disagreeable fashion
of speech that you may have fallen into, and that may be habitual
to you in private conversation.
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