_The Sources of Fluency_

 

Speaking broadly, fluency is almost entirely a matter of preparation. Certainly,

native gifts figure largely here, as in every art, but even natural facility is

dependent on the very same laws of preparation that hold good for the man of

supposedly small native endowment. Let this encourage you if, like Moses, you

are prone to complain that you are not a ready speaker.

 

Have you ever stopped to analyze that expression, "a ready speaker?" Readiness,

in its prime sense, is preparedness, and they are most ready who are best

prepared. Quick firing depends more on the alert finger than on the hair

trigger. Your fluency will be in direct ratio to two important conditions: your

knowledge of what you are going to say, and your being accustomed to telling

what you know to an audience. This gives us the second great element of

fluency--to preparation must be added the ease that arises from practise; of

which more presently.

 

_Knowledge is Essential_

 

Mr. Bryan is a most fluent speaker when he speaks on political problems,

tendencies of the time, and questions of morals. It is to be supposed, however,

that he would not be so fluent in speaking on the bird life of the Florida

Everglades. Mr. John Burroughs might be at his best on this last subject, yet

entirely lost in talking about international law. Do not expect to speak

fluently on a subject that you know little or nothing about. Ctesiphon boasted