Man, earth's only articulate creature, has literally talked himself into mastery over all the world. The divine power of speech has made him "a little lower than the angels." Times without number men have risen to the pinnacle of success, to positions of trust and leadership, to high public office, yes, and more than once in this generation great campaigns have been won, and men have dominated nations and continents by the power of speech.
By study and practice anyone who speaks at all may become a pleasing, forceful, convincing speaker. Obviously, a complete course in public speaking cannot be incorporated in the few pages of a pamphlet. But many valuable pointers can be given that will help you to better your station in life, win quicker advancement in business, and become a leader among your fellows by improving the quality of your speech.
How to Stand.—When speaking in public, one should stand erect with shoulders back and chest held high. Do not stand on one foot, or assume a straddle-legged stance. Keep the feet together and hold the legs straight. Do not lean against a table or desk. When they are not employed in gesture or in holding a manuscript, the hands should hang loosely and naturally at the sides. Never place the hands in your pockets or on the hips. Do not fidget or permit the hands to touch any part of your body. Never rub the nose, scratch the head, tug at the necktie, or adjust any article of the clothing. Cultivate an easy, natural posture and forget that you have arms, hands, legs, and feet. Be yourself, but be dignified.
Gestures.—Effective gestures are very important in public speaking, but, if overused, they may become mere arm wavings, reminiscent of the outmoded spread-eagle and rostrum-thwacking oratory that is so dear to the hearts of elderly statesmen of the old school. Use gestures by all means, but only when there is reason for them. Be sure that the gesture is not jerky, twittery, or grotesque. Practice your gestures before a mirror until they become natural, graceful, and effortless.
The Voice.—The human voice is produced by the most delicate and wondrous musical instrument in the world. The complete organ of speech donsists of the lungs, the throat, the vocal cords, the oral and nasal cavities, the hard and soft palates, the tongue, the teeth, and the lips. Unless your organ of speech is abnormal or diseased, you should be able to .speak in a clear, musical, resonant voice. Fundamentally, there is not the slightest difference between speaking and singing, for speech is but a series of singing tones that are formed into words by the action of the lips and the tongue.
If your voice is discordant, thin and reedy, breathy, hoarse, or shrill, you should go to a competent teacher for a course in voice production. A few lessons often will work wonders in correcting bad habits of voice and speech. It is worthy of note that most famous radio announcers are singers or have had some vocal. training. If you have a normal voice, lessons in singing are not essential. However, these pointers should be observed by both lay and professional speakers :
Speak in a pitch that is easy and natural for you. For example, if you have a high-pitched voice, do not attempt to speak bass by growling through the Adam's apple or by creating any distortion of the throat. It is imperative in speaking and singing that the throat at all times be completely relaxed. The jaw, tongue, and lips must be flexible and without muscular strain or tightness.
The voice should float effortlessly upon the breath. True resonance is produced only in the resonance chambers of the upper head, never in the throat or chest. Breathe deeply, and speak forward. Feel your voice in the mask of your face and on your lips. Let the voice flow unimpeded through your mouth and through your nose. (Noun: •The speaker who has what is called a "nasal" twang to his voice, does not speak through his nose at all. To prove this close the nostrils tightly with thumb and forefinger and repeat aloud: "I am planning to make a most important move in the month of May.")
Avoid monotony of tone. Let your voice be flexible and expressive. But, at the same time, do not run up and down the scale like a steam calliope with hysterics. Speak with a volume that will carry clearly to the last row of seats. But remember that a too loud voice is as exasperating as is the one that is too soft to be heard. Do not adopt the pulpit style of your favorite minister, nor imitate the spellbinding technique of small-town legislators. If you talk into a microphone, do not shout. Speak temperately and leave the volume to the loudspeaker.
The Speaker.—The speaker should seek to establish an immediate contact with his audience. This is best accomplished by making your opening remarks refer to the audience and not to yourself. Don't begin : "It gives me a feeling of great satisfaction that I am here to speak to you." This is what I call the "I-me" approach. It leaves an audience cold and unresponsive. The "I-me" approach erects a barrier between audience and speaker at the outset; for until a joint feeling of friendliness has been established, the audience has no particular interest in the speaker's emotions of pleasure and satisfaction'.
It is much better to begin: "This morning, upon arriving in your beautiful city, I was amazed at your broad boulevards, your clean and towering buildings your excellent stores, your well-regulated traffic, and the look of contentment and prosperity upon the faces of your people. Here, I said to myself, is a city that I should like to call my own. That is why, as I stand here, I have the feeling that I am facing an audience of real friends, if not of fellow townsmen."
Such an opening gets a speaker off to a good start with his audience by playing upon its natural civic pride, and by subtly complimenting his hearers for their extreme good judgment in living in such a fortunate city. And by admitting that he, too, would be proud to call such a place home, the speaker has established himself as a person of discrimination and faultless taste.
It is important never to begin a speech with an apology, as : "I really do not feel eqt -1 to
the occasion"; "I am just recovering from a bad cold"; "I hope you will pardon me for having to read my speech"; "I am really not a good speaker"; "I feel that it is presumptuous for me to speak to you," etc.
After you have established contact with your hearers, put them at ease by relating an interesting anecdote or humorous story that will lead you easily into the subject of your speech. Never speak longer than one hour. Be sure your speech is well prepared. If you must use notes, do not keep your eyes glued on them. Consult them as little as possible.
How to Overcome Stage Fright
A few minutes before starting your speech take several deep, unhurried breaths. Say to yourself : "These people want to hear what I have to say. They did not come here to bite me, or to sneer at me. As all audiences are eager to be entertained and instructed, there is nothing for me to be uneasy about. I am here among friendly, sympathetic gentlefolk, and I shall try to make them enjoy my speech as much as I shall enjoy making it."
As you begin to speak, wear a friendly, confident smile and look straight into the faces of your audience. You will see that they are interested in you, and in what you are saying. Before you realize it, every trace of nervousness will have disappeared, and you will from then on be completely at ease.
Some Additional Pointers
Avoid any affected manner of speech. Be sure to enunciate clearly. Do not say "uh-h-h-h" after every few words. Make sure that your pronunciation and your grammar are faultless.
Do not cough, sniff, clear your throat, blow your nose, or make unnecessary use of the handkerchief. Do not stand stiffly in one position.
Do not tell a humorous story that is stale or dated, that is in any way vulgar or immoral, or that may possibly offend or ridicule any member of your audience.
Do not preach to shout at, or scold your hearers. Do not talk down to them, and do not talk over their heads.
Avoid slang, trite expressions, weak and meaningless figures of speech, long, bookish words, technical expressions, and long-winded, involved sentences.
Don't be a wooden Indian. Let your facial expressions reflect the sentiment of what you are saying.
Above all else, do not pose, strut, or adopt a pompous, condescending attitude.
Here are my three S's of speaking : Be simple, be sincere, and be successful.
Converts generally come up no higher than the standards raised for them by the ministers. —Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 445.
* Reprinted by permission of the author, whose book, Your Speech and How to Improve It, has recently been released by the Vanguard Press, New York City. An elective in the 1944 Ministerial Reading Course.
