How can one acquire effectiveness of speech?
Mostly by labor, the fountain head, the mother of oratory. We cannot all be great lecturers, men that speak “pure fire”, but we can all be good lecturers, the constant endeavor to improve one’s ability is necessary. Analysis of successful lectures is always helpful. Why is a certain lecture pleasing, excellent, inspiring? Daily reading, especially oral, is broadening as well as essential to better lecturing. Listening to the sound of one’s voice by oral reading leads to more distinct and effective pronunciation. If lecture material is solely derived from science the lecture will lack gloss and excellence, so familiarity with poetry, drama, history, and the fine arts is invaluable. Thorough preparation of a speech is necessary for a speaker at best cannot rise above his own accomplishments; it is an insult to the intelligence of an audience to appear before it without thorough preparation. Too much cannot be said for written preparation of a speech, as it steeps the speaker with accurate familiarity with what he has to say. There is less danger of omission of something important, while the superfluous is carefully pruned away. Things that require further investigation are revealed, and a clearer, more complete conception is imparted. It adds confidence and aggressiveness, makes for clearer presentation in more eloquent language. Should a written speech be learned or read? — Emphatically, no!
The characteristics of a good speech are clearness – brevity – smoothness – rhythm. The speaker should impart ample knowledge with conclusive facts in a style of great fervor – making every effort towards exquisite arrangement, elegance 0f language, and high finish. The success of his endeavor is tested by its effect on his audience. The lecturer is more than a sign post – he must furnish atmosphere, background, decoration, and must stimulate and keep alive a desire to hear more of what he has to say.
Reference:
C. H. Woolbert — Fundamentals of Public Speaking.
Discussion
Following Dr. Ruhle’s paper, Mr. Gerald Marsh, formerly head ranger naturalist at Yellowstone, and now instructor in public speaking at the University of California, spoke informally on the principles of lecturing. Mr. Marsh took active part in the round table discussion following this and the other papers presented during the day’s session.
A few memoranda on points brought out during discussions:
The lecturer must have a very comprehensive background of knowledge; certainly we should not have on our staff any ranger naturalists who can be “drained” in a ten-minute talk. Any ranger naturalist should be able to preside at group discussions after his lecture and should be competent to answer most questions asked. No matter how well a man has learned his lecture, he cannot successfully fool the audience if he has not the scientific knowledge with which to support his lecture. The man who is well equipped with scientific knowledge does not have to exert himself to “put over” the subject, because he has a good fund from which to draw even if it becomes necessary at times to speak extemporaneously.
Spencer, in “The Philosophy of Style”, says that paying attention is fatiguing to the audience. The lecturer should always endeavor to make it easy for the audience to listen and comprehend. The subject matter must be made easy for the audience to grasp, and the method of presentation is extremely important.
Before attempting lectures, a ranger naturalist should be given the opportunity of becoming well acquainted with the park, particularly in the fields in which he is to lecture. To have a well rounded background for his talks the man should be given an opportunity of participating in the activities of the park and should also have adequate time to study.
It is important that each lecture should be formulated with a view to the effect or response that is desired upon the audience.
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