Evening star., 1914-11-21
PUBLIC SPEAKING.
BY DIR. FRANK CRANE.
Copyright. 1914. by Frank C,ane.D

1t is good thing for any young man
to learn the art of speaking in public.
1t is not mere accomplishment. 1t
reacts on the man himself It induces
him to take an interest in public mat
ters. 1t broadens his influence, in
creases the force of his personality and
makes him more Of social being.
Most Of the things about which a
speech can be made are good things.
Bad things as a rule are put across
by the gumshoe process.
You can make an address, for in
stance. on temperance; the making of
drunkards is q sly and voiceless busi-
ness. You can speechify upon virtue,
honor and industry; but nobody ever
went to a public meeting to be helped
along in vice, dishonor and laziness
These things grow silently in the souls
back yard.
Learn how to think on your feet. Learn
how to make your ideas have a re-
spectacle force when you utter them.
A good deal depends upon natural
ability, of course. But as a general
thing too great a facility in words Is
fatal to effectiveness In argument. Amy
one can learn to speak concisely.
A few hints may not come amiss:
Always keep your audience in mind.
Speak in language you are sure they
can understand.
Speak loudly and distinctly enough
SO that the person In the back seat can
hear you. This is, however, not so
much a matter Of speaking loudly as
1t Is Of knowing how to place your
voice and pronounce your words.
Avoid raising the pitch of your voice
Talk as low as you can. A high
pitched voice is trying to your audi
tors; 1t indicates nervousness and ir-
rftation in you.
By the way. If you keep your voice
low you will rarely get into a quarrel
Did you never notice how people
voices gradually Iise as they grow
angry? Talk low and keep peace in the
family; talk low and avoid contentious
in business; talk low and win an au-
dience.
Keep your chin up. Don't address
those in the front row. but those in the
| rear of the room.
Open your mouth. Don't be afraid te
| drop your jaw. Americans humble
and talk through the nose.
Observe Englishmen. who speak bet.
ter than we. Don't initiate their sing
song. but do initiate their broad. open.
| mouthed vowels.
Concentrate your whole effort upor
what you have to say and aim to say i,
| as plainly as possible. Overcome self
consciousness. To forget ones self is
to be eloquent.
Let your words be terse, short ant
strong. ShUn long Latinized express
sions.
Look pleasant. Don't frown. Don't
get scolding, hectoring tone. No
body minds being abused. even sworn
at. II it's done good naturedly.
Don't arouse the antagonism of your
audience. You agree with them on
some points. Talk on these; at least
begin with these-or not at all
Don't read a paper to an audience
Use as few notes as possible. Reading
to an audience is like shouting to them
from behind a stone wall.
Be concise. When you have made
one point plain go to the next And
when you have said all you had to say
i quit. Don't go back and say it over.
And remember that heart. enthusiasm
sincerity, earnestness all count more
than head. logic and sharp. cutting
syllogismS.
A knowledge Of the art of public
speaking cannot hurt YOU. and it may
be of great advanta ee-to your charac-
ter as we'll as to your career.