Talks on Talking Part 8

Don't rant.

Don't prate.

Don't fidget.

Don't flatter.

Don't declaim.

Don't be glib.

Don't hesitate.

Don't be nasal.

Don't apologize.

Don't dogmatize.

Don't be slangy.

Don't antagonize.

Don't be awkward.

Don't be violent.

Don't be personal.

Don't be "funny."

Don't att.i.tudinize.

Don't be monotonous.

Don't speak rapidly.

Don't sway your body.

Don't be long-winded.

Don't "hem" and "haw."

Don't praise yourself.

Don't overgesticulate.

Don't pace the platform.

Don't clear your throat.

Don't "point with pride."

Don't tell a long story.

Don't rise on your toes.

Don't distort your words.

Don't stand like a statue.

Don't address the ceiling.

Don't speak in a high key.

Don't emphasize everything.

Don't drink while speaking.

Don't fatigue your audience.

Don't exceed your time limit.

Don't talk for talking's sake.

Don't wander from your subject.

Don't fumble with your clothes.

Don't speak through closed teeth.

Don't put your hands on your hips.

Don't fail to stop when you have ended.

DO'S FOR PUBLIC SPEAKERS

Be prepared.

Begin slowly.

Be modest.

Speak distinctly.

Address all your hearers.

Be uniformly courteous.

Prune your sentences.

Cultivate mental alertness.

Conceal your method.

Be scrupulously clear.

Feel sure of yourself.

Look your audience in the eyes.

Be direct.

Favor your deep tones.

Speak deliberately.

Get to your facts.

Be earnest.

Observe your pauses.

Suit the action to the word.

Be yourself at your best.

Speak fluently.

Use your abdominal muscles.

Make yourself interesting.

Be conversational.

Conciliate your opponent.

Rouse yourself.

Be logical.

Have your wits about you.

Be considerate.

Open your mouth.

Speak authoritatively.

Cultivate sincerity.

Cultivate brevity.

Cultivate tact.

End swiftly.

POINTS FOR SPEAKERS

As far as possible avoid the following hackneyed phrases:

I rise with diffidence Unaccustomed as I am to public speaking By a happy stroke of fate It becomes my painful duty In the last a.n.a.lysis I am encouraged to go on I point with pride On the other hand (with gesture) I hold The vox populi Be that as it may I shall not detain you As the hour is growing late Believe me We view with alarm As I was about to tell you The happiest day of my life It falls to my lot I can say no more In the fluff and bloom I can only hint I can say nothing I cannot find words The fact is To my mind I cannot sufficiently do justice I fear All I can say is I shall not inflict a speech on you Far be it from me Rise phoenix-like from his ashes But alas!

What more can I say?

At this late period of the evening It is hardly necessary to say I cannot allow the opportunity to pa.s.s For, mark you I have already taken up too much time I might talk to you for hours Looking back upon my childhood We can imagine the scene I haven't the time nor ability Ah, no, dear friends One more word and I have done I will now conclude I really must stop I have done.