As this volume has a definite aim it has a simple practical basis.  It will not soar too far above the essentials.  It tries not to offer an elaborate explanation of an enthymeme when the embryonic speaker’s knees are knocking together so loudly that he can not hear the instructor’s correcting pronunciation of the name.  It takes into account that when a beginner stands before an audience—­and this is true not only the first time—­even his body is not under his control.  Lips grow cold and dry; perspiration gushes from every pore of the brow and runs down the face; legs grow weak; eyes see nothing; hands swell to enormous proportions; violent pains shoot across the chest; the breath is confined within the lungs; from the clapper-like tongue comes only a faint click.  Is it any wonder that under such physical agonies the mind refuses to respond—­rather, is incapable of any action whatever?

Speech Based on Thought and Language.  Every speech is a result of the combination of thought and language, of material and expression.  It would be quite possible to begin with considerations of the thought content of speeches—­the material; but this book begins with the other;—­the language, the expression.  If this order have no other advantage, it does possess this one;—­that during the informal discussions and expressions of opinion occasioned by the early chapters and exercises, members of the class are attaining a feeling of ease in speaking among themselves which will later eradicate a great deal of the nervousness usually experienced when speaking before the class.  In addition, some attention to such topics as voice, tone, pronunciation, common errors, use of the dictionary, vocabulary, may instil habits of self-criticism and observation which may save from doubt and embarrassing mistakes later.

EXERCISES

1.  Recall some recent speech you heard.  In parallel columns make lists of its excellences and deficiencies.

2.  Give the class an account of the occasion, the purpose of the speaker, and his effect upon his audience, or upon you.

3.  Explain how children learn to speak.

4.  From your observation give the class an account of how young children enlarge their vocabularies.

5.  Using the material of this chapter as the basis of your remarks, show the value of public speaking.

6.  Of what value is public speaking to women?

7.  What effects upon speeches by women will universal suffrage have?

8.  Choose some profession—­as law, engineering—­and show how an ability to speak may be of value in it.

9.  Choose some business position, and show how an ability to speak is a decided advantage in it.

10.  What is the best method of acquiring a foreign language?  For example, how shall the alien learn English?

11.  Choose some great man whom you admire.  Show how he became a speaker.  Or give an account of one of his speeches.