Successful Methods of Public Speaking | Page 5

their method.
This plan, however, is not to be generally recommended, since few men have the faculty
of rendering memorized parts so as to make them appear extempore. If you recite rather
than speak to an audience, you may be a good entertainer, but just to that degree will you
impair your power and effectiveness as a public speaker.
There are speakers who have successfully used the plan of committing to memory
significant sentences, statements, or sayings, and skilfully embodying them in their
speeches. You might test this method for yourself, tho it is attended with danger.
If possible, join a local debating society, where you will have excellent opportunity for
practise in thinking and speaking on your feet. Many distinguished public speakers have
owed their fluency of speech and self-confidence to early practise in debate.
THE VALUE OF REPETITION
Persuasion is a task of skill. You must bring to your aid in speaking every available
resource. An effective weapon at times is a "remorseless iteration." Have the courage to
repeat yourself as often as may be necessary to impress your leading ideas upon the
minds of your hearers. Note the forensic maxim, "tell a judge twice whatever you want
him to hear; tell a special jury thrice, and a common jury half a dozen times, the view of a
case you wish them to entertain."
THE NEED OF SELF-CONFIDENCE
Whatever methods of premeditation you adopt in the preparation of a speech, having
planned everything to the best of your ability, dismiss from your mind all anxiety and all
thought about yourself.
Right preparation and earnest practise should give you a full degree of confidence in your
ability to perform the task before you. When you stand at last before the audience, it
should be with the assurance that you are thoroughly equipped to say something of real
interest and importance.

THE POWER OF PERSONALITY
Personality plays a vital part in a speaker's success. Gladstone described Cardinal
Newman's manner in the pulpit as unsatisfactory if considered in its separate parts.
"There was not much change in the inflection of his voice; action there was none; his
sermons were read, and his eyes were always on his book; and all that, you will say, is
against efficiency in preaching. Yes; but you take the man as a whole, and there was a
stamp and a seal upon him, there was solemn music and sweetness in his tone, there was
a completeness in the figure, taken together with the tone and with the manner, which
made even his delivery such as I have described it, and tho exclusively with written
sermons, singularly attractive."
THE DANGER OF IMITATION
It is a fatal mistake, as I have said, to set out deliberately to imitate some favorite speaker,
and to mold your style after his. You will observe certain things and methods in other
speakers which will fit in naturally with your style and temperament. To this extent you
may advantageously adopt them, but always be on your guard against anything which
might in the slightest degree impair your own individuality.
Speech for Study, with Lesson Talk
FEATURES OF AN ELOQUENT ADDRESS
You will find useful material for study and practise in the speech which follows,
delivered by Lord Rosebery at the Unveiling of the Statue of Gladstone at Glasgow,
Scotland, October 11th, 1902.
The English style is noteworthy for its uniform charm and naturalness. There is an
unmistakable personal note which contributes greatly to the effect of the speaker's words.
This eloquent address is a model for such an occasion, and a good illustration of the work
of a speaker thoroughly familiar with his theme. It has sufficient variety to sustain
interest, dignity in keeping with the subject, and a note of inspiration which would
profoundly impress an audience of thinking men. It is a scholarly address.
Note the concise introductory sentences. Repeat them aloud and observe how easily they
flow from the lips. Notice the balance and variety of successive sentences, the stately
diction, and the underlying tone of deep sincerity.
Examine every phrase and sentence of this eloquent speech. Study the conclusion and
particularly the closing paragraph. When you have thoroughly analyzed the speech, stand
up and render it aloud in clear-cut tones and appropriately dignified style.
SPEECH FOR STUDY
AT THE UNVEILING OF THE STATUE OF GLADSTONE

(Address of Lord Rosebery)
I am here to-day to unveil the image of one of the great figures of our country. It is right
and fitting that it should stand here. A statue of Mr. Gladstone is congenial in any part of
Scotland. But in this Scottish city, teeming with eager workers, endowed with a great
University, a center of industry, commerce, and thought, a statue of William Ewart
Gladstone is at home.
But you in