program? What are the other speakers going to talk about? What is the nature of

the auditorium? Is there a desk? Could the subject be more effectively handled

if somewhat modified? Precisely how much time am I to fill?

 

It is evident that many speech-misfits of subject, speaker, occasion and place

are due to failure to ask just such pertinent questions. _What_ should be said,

by _whom_, and _in what circumstances_, constitute ninety per cent of efficiency

in public address. No matter who asks you, refuse to be a square peg in a round

hole.

 

_Questions of Proportion_

 

Proportion in a speech is attained by a nice adjustment of time. How fully you

may treat your subject it is not always for you to say. Let ten minutes mean

neither nine nor eleven--though better nine than eleven, at all events. You

wouldn't steal a man's watch; no more should you steal the time of the

succeeding speaker, or that of the audience. There is no need to overstep

time-limits if you make your preparation adequate and divide your subject so as

to give each thought its due proportion of attention--and no more. Blessed is

the man that maketh short speeches, for he shall be invited to speak again.

 

Another matter of prime importance is, what part of your address demands the

most emphasis. This once decided, you will know where to place that pivotal

section so as to give it the greatest strategic value, and what degree of

preparation must be given to that central thought so that the vital part may not