PUBLIC SPEAKING

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 122, 9 February 1918, Page 8

PUBLIC SPEAKING

HOW AMEIUCAX ORATORS ARE " TRAINED.

"The Making of an Oralor" was the subject of a talk last evening by Irofessor Thomas G. Trueblood,; who occupies the Chair of Oratory in Michi-, Ka n University. The gathering was geld in Banks College, and Sir Robert Stout presided. • , , Professor Trueblood spoke first of the importance attached in the, Lmted States to the attainment of proficiencj in public speaking,. and the great organisations existing for the promotion of oratorical and debating contests, some of them under the control of allied universities. Some of the best-known men in the United States, he said, had won honours in these contests, and he mentioned, among others, Mr. William Jennings Bryan and President Wilson Then Professor Trueblood spoke of the course of training given to students assembled in class-rooms for the study of oratory..; First in order comes instruction in the training of the voice, the management of .the breath, and the study of emphasis. Students are warned against errors in pronounciation, and effort is made to eliminato provincialisms. Then the students go on to study ot the art of themselves in written oral English, and wo taught to examine the efforts in tins, direction of one another. The .devices and methods used were exp amed fully by the lecturer, showing that the org? •-, isntion of the classes is very fmongh' and the training so practical that '.< cannot fail to he useful to the man who mav wish nftw his college comsfi to make use of wlial, he has learnei Incidentally ho mentioned .that the style of oratory taught m the college. was that of "energised conversation, <i method not at all general among public speakers in this country. Movinf a vote, of thanks to the lecturer Sir Robert Stout had something to say of the fine oratory of some of (be wen in the New Zealand Parliament of fifty vears ago. naming as the best orator h» had «-er heard, Mr. John Edward Fitzgerald. _ \ vole of thanks to the chairman, moved by Dr. NWian, M.P.. was carried bv acclamation, and Mso a yore of thanks to the director of Bunks College for liavimr organises the meeting.