The art of speech and deportment

by Anna Morgan

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1909 edition. Excerpt: ... ON READING ALOUD Question. What is required in reading aloud well? Answer. First, the ability to give thoughts to your listeners. Q. For what do readers usually strive? A. For mechanical perfection in speaking words and in giving attractive action, however irrelevant it may be. Q. What is the second requirement for good reading? A. That your eye be educated to glance ahead and quickly comprehend what is coming, that you may look at your audience, thereby emphasizing the main thought. A very good way to gain facility along this line is to place your book or manuscript on a table and walk by it and around it, glancing at it for promptings as seldom as possible. Q. Give another requirement for good reading. A. A pleasing voice with theoretical and practical knowledge of its use. Q. What is the vital requirement for good reading? A. The possession of that intangible, elusive something, termed "individuality," which defies definition but which instantly communicates itself to the listener. Q. What is the difference between individuality and personality? A. Individuality is the broader, bigger, more comprehensive term. It is the ego, the real man shining through his personality, which in a sense is external. Q. What should be both a duty and a pleasure when you first come in touch with a new book or poem? A. A consideration of the author. Who is he? Is he living? What has he written? How does the book or selection you have in hand rank among his writings? Is this his major performance? For instance: "The Star Spangled Banner," by Francis Scott Key; "Home, Sweet Home," by John Howard Payne; "America," by Samuel F. Smith; "Pilgrim's Progress," by John Bunyan; "The Arabian Nights," translated from the Arabic. In considering the greater...

392 pages, Paperback

First published September 12, 2013

About the author

Anna Morgan is a former staff reporter at The Canadian Jewish News. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, The National Post, and Toronto Life Magazine. A finalist for the National Magazine Award, Anna has written many articles about Ethiopian Jewry.