Mastery of Speech: How to Speak on Public Occasions

How to Address Children in School

You visit a school and are called upon to speak to the students in their assembly.

There is no more critical audience in the world than an audience of children.

If you can interest and hold an audience of school children you can interest and hold any audience anywhere.

Here is a list of "Don'ts" that you should observe:

1.  Don't speak in such a low voice that only those in the front part of the room can hear you.

The others, who can not hear easily, will whisper or move about. The disorder will spread as you continue to talk.

2.  Don't put your hands into your pockets, lean on a reading desk, or assume any other undignified position. Students are quick to see such actions, and equally quick to draw uncomplimentary inferences from them.

8. Don't say "Your Principal has invited me to speak."

4.  In general, don't make any apology for your speaking.

5.  Don't say "scholars." Say "students" or "pupils."

6.  Don't read from any manuscript.

7.  Don't use words, or express thoughts the pupils can not understand.

8.  Don't use slang, or vulgarity of any kind.

9.  Don't find fault with anything.

10.  Don't talk as if you were talking to little children, unless your audience is really composed of little children.

Here are a few suggestions what to do:

1.  Begin by telling a story that rises to a climax. The effect will be better if the story is humorous.

In any case, tell a story that rises to a surprising conclusion.

2.  Speak on some great ideal.

Boys and girls are lovers of goodness of all sorts. The great virtues—honor, loyalty, truth, justice, sympathy, and charity—are close to their hearts.

They will hear you gladly on such topics so long as you avoid "preachiness" and make your talk "human."

3.  Give specific examples whenever you talk about the abstract.

Children are quick to understand any abstract idea when you present it in the form of a definite incident or story.

4.  Exhibit, if possible, some object, drawing, or picture to add to interest and clearness.

5.  Show the students how to carry your thought into practical application.

6.  Speak briefly.

7.  Speak with emphasis.

8.  Connect your remarks, when possible, with actual school interests, such as athletic games, and championship contests.

PROBLEM.

Think out a speech that you might give to pupils in a public high school. Make the speech one of patriotic nature.