PART II. The Good Talker The good talker is a much envied man. The good talker succeeds where others fail. Instead of giving offense he pleases people. He has many friends and associates. He finds himself welcome in every gathering. He is called upon to speak in public. He finds that interested faces look at him and that crowds come to hear him. He gains riches, honors, and fame. A man of my acquaintance is especially gifted in talking sympathetically. He is a highly educated man, but he meets everyone on his own plane. He has deliberately cultivated the power of speech, and after all these years he still studies the art of speech. An invalid-an entire stranger-heard of him and sent for him. My friend went, and talked quietly, kindly, and in exactly the right way. The event was a little incident that he might have forgotten. After some time the invalid died. They sent for my friend to hear the will. The invalid, in no way related to him, had bequeathed to my friend for his personal use, no less than $300,000! And all because of one visit, one hour of good talking! The world honors its great speakers, remembering for centuries men like Demosthenes and Cicero, and eulogizing men like Webster. A good talker, a good speaker, is not necessarily an orator. Comparatively few people have the opportunity to stand before large groups and to speak in public. Everyone speaks in daily conversation, using thousands of words, changing tone, inflection, and gesture, trying to persuade, to convince, or to express any of the many emotions that move the hearts of men. Yet almost no one studies the art of daily speech. Here is your opportunity to gain success. Learn the art of speaking well in daily life and you will become a master speaker for all times and occasions. The good talker is one who can speak easily, fluently, correctly, pleasingly, and convincingly in daily life. If he can do all that, he will sooner or later express every emotion that has ever moved the greatest orators of the world, but he may never make a public speech. A man who speaks well in daily life is almost certain to speak well if he is called upon in public. That is why so many men who seem to have had no training in public speech present their thoughts with remarkable ease and effect when called to speak before their fellows. Anyone who speaks at all may become more proficient in the art of speech. It is the object of this course of study to give you full opportunity for self-training in every kind of speech, from the simplest form of daily speech to the work of the most important public speaker. Persevere, and you will become an excellent speaker. Introductory Problems 1. What person of your acquaintance has the reputation of being a good talker? Does he deserve the reputation? How has his talking affected his career? 2. What well-known persons in the United States have risen to high positions, largely because they are good talkers? 3. What person, not accustomed to public speech, have you heard speak remarkably well in public when called upon? Where did he learn the art of public speaking? |