PREFACE College speakers benefit most from their courses in public speaking when they are required or permitted to devote as many as possible of their hours in class to the delivery and criticism of their own speeches. Instructors in the subject lecture less than formerly; this allows more time for performance by students. The material and suggestions which might otherwise be elaborated in lectures are contained in textbooks, several of which every earnest student should read during a single semester. Some books are collections of noteworthy speeches, others prose, and poetry. Some explain in great detail what speech is. Some are written for the special purpose of suggesting how to make one's next speech more successful than the last. TRAINING FOR COLLEGE SPEAKERS was written for the particular reason that, although there are many excellent texts on the subject of Speech, there should be a book written with the point of view of the college student predominant. This book contains some of the usual material to be found in general and in specialized texts; but it was intended to have the rather unusual function of presenting the prospect of speaking in ways which would help to make the activity altogether attractive to college students. This explains, if it does not justify, the somewhat informal and conversational style of the book. In fact, the author regrets that some sections of it had to be written in a more customary academic fashion; although no apology is required to justify the exposition of necessarily technical subjects with the greatest economy of language. The worth and value of TRAINING FOR COLLege SPEAKERS should be estimated and determined by instructors and students according to its helpfulness in: lessening the necessity for lectures in class, causing the student to look forward with pleasure to his next speaking opportunity, providing the student with suggestions both for the content of speeches and the methods of delivery. Whether the author's purpose, style, and emphasis upon agreeable motivation are to be justified will depend upon whether college students actually enjoy reading the book, and whether careful reading of it and applying its suggestions make them more purposeful, persuasive, and effective speakers. If their speeches begin to indicate that they have learned that public speaking at its best is the social activity of the whole man sharing information and feelings with other people, then the students and instructors who have used this book may join with the author in believing that the writing and the use of the book have been justified. Recognition and appreciation are due and offered to the several friends and to experienced teachers whose suggestions or publications have helped to make this book. possible. Indirectly, through information and suggestions coming from others, obligation is acknowledged to Richard C. Borden and Alvin C. Busse for references to passages in their text, "Speech Correction"; to Dr. S. S. Curry's texts, "Spoken English" and "Little Classics for Oral English" for quotations from literary selections; to Leonard G. Nattkemper and George Wharton James for quotations from selections in their volume, "Delight and Power in Speech"; to Irvah L. Winter for the influence which he has had upon trainers of the voice; and to Mrs. Margaret Carrington for permission to apply the principles of her method of "tuning to the vowels". Direct and particular indebtedness is tendered to Professor Frederick C. Packard, Jr., for very generous contributions of materials and time during the preparation of Part Two of the book, and for the many helpful constructive and critical suggestions which he made in connection with its general make-up. Whenever anyone has contributed so much in time and effort as has been the case in this instance, the man under whose name the result is published can do no less than confess that while he should be held responsible for all errors in fact and judgment, a good share of the credit for whatever is found valuable in the book should be accorded to the man who made unusual sacrifices so that its contents and style in certain. chapters might be more acceptable than could have been the case without his aid. The author hopes that each reader will be able to see the forest in spite of the deformity of particular trees; and that he will discover sunlight flooding through the branches here and there. Cambridge, Massachusetts. C. U. |