The sooner a preacher comes to the point where he intelligently analyzes his own speech, the better preacher he becomes—provided, of course, that he sets about to strengthen his assets and to eliminate his liabilities. Self-diagnosis is one of his best teachers.
To assist in self-analysis, many check lists have been devised. One of the most useful of these, in my opinion, is the "Self-Grading Rating Scale on Elements of Effective Speech," prepared by Professor Charles F. Lindsley of Occidental College, and included in W. Arthur Cable's "Cultural and Scientific Education Today." By the editor's gracious permission, I have slightly revised the scale better to suit the needs of Seventh-day Adventist workers. It appears below.
Note the ten elements of effective speech arranged at the left side of the chart. Note the gradation in achievement represented by the ten vertical columns following each element of speech, all the way from the lowest conceivable attitude, represented by ten, to the highest, represented by Ioo—arranged on the familiar old grammar-school percentage basis. Observe the double line drawn down the middle of the chart—this represents the medium, the general average of speech effectiveness.
For example, the speaker who has absolutely no confidence in his ideas, who is always uncertain, doubtful, and apologetic, checks in the io per cent column—if, indeed, such a speaker exists. The speaker who, on the other hand, is always sure of himself and invariably certain of his facts, checks in the Ioo per cent column —if, indeed, he exists. The ordinary, average garden variety of speaker checks near the middle double line.
Now, Brother Self-Analyst, rate yourself accordingly. Place your marks on the average line, or to the right or left of the average line, according to the degree to which you think you express yourself effectively or otherwise in each instance. Don't rationalize, but pass rather briskly down the list, checking as you go. Don't stop to argue with yourself. Play fair. When you have finished, connect your checks from item one to item ten with a zigzag line, and you will have a fairly accurate graphic picture of your effectiveness as a speaker. Are you above, below, or just average?
It would be a helpful procedure to ask a kind but honest friend to rate the effectiveness of your speech in a similar fashion. Then you might compare notes and draw some conclusions. Better still, ask several friends to help you and take to heart the summary of their criticisms.
Next to hearing your own voice, I know of no procedure better calculated to strengthen your speech effectiveness than this suggestion of self-analysis. Try it! Then begin meeting the challenge of improvement.
(A companion article by Professor Weniger, in which he propounds "Some Questions to Ask Yourself," will appear soon.—Editor.)
