Page:Famous Living Americans, with Portraits.djvu/20

 SUGGESTIONS ON THE PREPABATION AND DELIVERY OF BIOGRAPHICAL SPEECHES

By Habry Bainbbidge Gough

It is believed that the following are some values attending the preparation and delivery of the biographical speeches herein planned: First, a keener appreciation of some of the famous Ameri- cans of our own time. Second, an increased power of initiative on the part of the student. It would seem that the careful composition and pub- lic presentation of a message, caught up from the facts given in these sketches yet made universal in its ap- plication,

should call into play the "creative resources." Third, some training in the careful analysis of data and in the sifting out from the relatively insignificant the more im- portant: and what is of more worth still, some intelligent training in seeking the causes back of facts or effects. Fourth, some inspiration to the careful composition of Oral English. Probably the student will use Oral English one hun- dred times, possibly a thousand times, more than "Written English." While we have never emphasized unduly the latter, "Spoken English" as such is receiving justly more and more attention. Moreover, these biographical speeches in connec- tion with the contests planned, will afford the student an imme- diate and worthy purpose for his efforts at composition. The great mass of what he writes is rarely, if ever, read out- side the classroom. Here is afforded an opportunity for him to prepare for a very definite, practical, and apparent end, a vital message, and to secure for it a respectful hearing. Fifth, some training in the oral presentation of his mes- sage. Surely if some of our "very intellectual" or "un- usually bright," not to mention our "ordinary," students are