The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-06-23
How to Make a Speech.

Few men make speeches Without
carefully preparing them beforehand. 1t
is rather amusing that so man.
speakers try to produce the impression
that they speak without having
made ready. Sometimes it is by be-
ginning with the const tutonal
statement that tho call upon them is
unexpected or that they have been alb
sorbed with other demands upon their
time. Sometimes in the opening or
close, which has been so carefully fix
ed in the memory that the speaker is
secure of it, he injects a word OF refer
ence caught from the pending occasion.
thus giving the impression that the
whole thing is a present inspiration.
Then, too, not to put too fine point on
the matter, there are some who ON this
subject do, with the most uneonscion-
able abandonment, verify the Scrip
ture, that all men are liars remem-
Der a most distinguished man telling
me that long speech of his at public
meeting was extemporaneous, when /
heard it read the evening before set up
in cold type for the forthcoming morn
ing paper.
Some of the best stump speakers
very wisely repeat the same speech al
most in totidem verbs as they 60
from place to place, as you will learn
when you 60 with them. Some of them
frankly acknowledge this method;
others will so emphatically assure that
they never speak twice alike that you
are bound to credit them with an
honest delusion. You rarely listen to
an after-dinner speech. however glibly
it rolls. that has not been wrought ad
unguem.
I should say, therefore, do not hest
tate to make the most thorough prep
aration. or to let it be known if need
be, that you do so. 1t is good thing.
too, to mix in something of humor,
never coarse, but of a fine sort giving
flavor as a mite of red pepper fayors
salad. Helpful also is touch of pa
thos or sentiment of which in rea-
sonable degree, do not be afraid. With
out humor or sentiment no speech goes |
very close to the heart of an audience.
have often found that some little in |
cident, scene, or "reminiscences or bit of |
landscape has given source from
which to derive speech. Sitting
down to write it the theme expands,
not forward. but in circle. Some
leading thought controls. and around
that argument, illustration, applica
ton group themselves. The very pro-
cess of writing, especially second
copying, will develop new trains of
thought and illustration or reference.
A word as you write it becomes a sug-
gestion and your pen creates almost as
if it were independent of your mind.
A vocabulary is, of course, vital re-
source for a speaker, though some
seem to have been born 10 full one.
The great aid to this is reading and
also committing good authors, disci-
pline doubly valuable because it fur
nishes stock of facts and a stock of
words.
l think the great thing in a speech is
earnestness of purpose and especially
of delivery. would not advise the
slightest attention to gesticulation. for
that will take care of itself with an
earnest speaker, and some of the most
aud effective seem to dispense
with it altogether. The manner is
everything in public speaking. You
may hear two speakers, one stirring
vou to the depths, the other drowned
IN your own yawning, and yet had you
read them in your evening newspaper
hey would have been equally as good,
Dr. equally as commonplace.
A good speech consists of sound,
wholesome array of facts, thought. OF
argument, relieved in the treatment by
! picture. a touch of humor. or q play
If fancy or sentiment, not afraid of
he embellishing of a reasonable fringe
If rhetorical flourish, clearly enunci-
tied in the speaking, and delivered
With all the force, feeling. earnestness
md approval that yon would put into
| struggle for your life. John D. Long.
70 March Writer.
Whv Ralioio11s Naus iS not Re-.