Chapter I: Preface

The following pages are the result of considerable observation and experience. Fifteen years ago the writer published a small volume entitled “Oratory; Sacred and Secular,” in which the same general views were set forth, though more slightly and crudely expressed. In this work the recognized defects of that earlier effort are supplied; and it is believed that all persons who have natural adaptation to public speech will here find all necessary directions to guide them by the shortest and surest road to success.

It is not necessary or even expedient that a book which teaches the mode of eloquence should itself be eloquent. We may watch, admire, and describe the flight of an eagle while standing on the firm ground quite as well as if flying in the air beside him. No effort, therefore, has been made to imitate those grand bursts of feeling or lofty flights of imagination in which the popular orator may indulge; but we have sought to give such directions about practical details as may be useful to the highest genius, while the broad path toward that kind of excellence most in harmony with the speaker’s own faculties is clearly marked out.

The writer is firmly convinced that more than nine-tenths of those who have any fair degree of ability to speak in public will succeed best in the mode laid down in the following pages; that is, by thorough preparation and arrangement of thought, combined with spontaneous selection of words in the moment of discourse.

Reasons will be given for considering this the most natural, logical, impassioned, and effective mode of discourse; indeed, the superior excellence of extempore speech is now generally conceded and will require little argument; but it is more important to encourage the beginner by showing him just how to acquire and practice fluent, accurate, and impressive off-hand speech in public, with as little embarrassment or fear as if every word were written out and in plain sight. This is the especial object of the following pages.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

PART I.

PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS:

PAGE

CHAPTER I. Can Eloquence be Taught? 9

CHAPTER II. The Four Methods of Public Speech—Their Advantages
and Disadvantages 15

CHAPTER III. Lessons from the Experience of Eminent Orators 31

CHAPTER IV. An Embryo Speech, with Models of very Simple Plans 44

CHAPTER V. Initial Fear, and How to Overcome it 60

CHAPTER VI. Utility of Debating Societies 65

PART II.

PREPARATION OF THE SPEAKER:

CHAPTER I. Unfortunates who never can Extemporize 73

CHAPTER II. Thought and Emotion 87

CHAPTER III. Language 101

CHAPTER IV. Imagination 109

CHAPTER V. Voice and Gesture 114

CHAPTER VI. Confidence 125

CHAPTER VII. Peculiarities belonging to the Various Fields of
Oratory 135

PART III.

PLAN AND DELIVERY OF THE SPEECH:

CHAPTER I. The Pen and the Tongue 145

CHAPTER II. Subject and Object 148

CHAPTER III. Thought-gathering 159

CHAPTER IV. Constructing a Plan 166

CHAPTER V. How Shall the Written Plan be Used? 177

CHAPTER VI. The First Moment of Speech 187

CHAPTER VII. The Introduction 196

CHAPTER VIII. Progress of the Speech 207

CHAPTER IX. Three Plans of Great Addresses 217

CHAPTER X. Illustrations, Pathos, Humor 243

CHAPTER XI. The Orator’s Logic 248

CHAPTER XII. After the Speech 262