ELOCUTION AND PUBLIC SPEAKING.

Temuka Leader, Issue 10280, 5 January 1922, Page 4

ELOCUTION AND PUBLIC SPEAKING.

NEW PUBLICATION. We have received from the publishers, Messrs Andrews, Baty and Co., a copy of a new publication on "Lessons in Elcoution and Public Speaking," by Mr John Rigg, formerly a member of the Legislative Council of New Zealand, teacher of elocution and public speaking at Banks' Commercial College, and author of "How to Conduct a Meeting." In the preface the author says: —"These lessons are intended tobe a means by which a person may educate himself to be a good reader, reciter, and public speaker. They | are arranged accordingly to logical j sequences. That is to say, we begin at the beginning, and proceed, step bv step, to the conclusion, in an easy and orderly way to the next necessary step. Apart from their logical arrangement, the lessons are based on a method of instruction which we believe will be appreciated; , for we endeavour to teach the student the things he should do, and point out to him those he should not do When we tell him to do a «ertain thing we instruct him how to do it- when necessary, why he should 4o" it ... We claim as original the plan and general treatment of the subject, and the advice given to students. That advice is the result of knowledge acquired in teaching elocution, and during a political life of about thirty years—a life which covers an experience in public speaking that extends from a cart tail at , a street corner to the Legislative Council of New Zealand." The contents include lessons on correct breathing, production, pronunciation, pausing, inflation, ac-. cented tforce and emphasis, pitch, tone, and modulation of the voice, public speaking, and oratory, with numerous selected pieces given as examples' and a lengthy appendix con sisting of some poems and extracts from eloquent speeches. Mr Rigg has done his work well. The lessons are easy and full, and the information imparted so plain and lucid that the student cannot fail to understand them. If the student will put into practice the advice he is given in this book he cannot fail to profit. The author has produced a valuable book that deserves to have a wide circulation amongst those who desire to become a good reader, reciter, or public speaker. The book contains 27 3 pages octavo, and is clearly printed on good paper, is strongly bound in linen cloth and does credit to the printers and publishers, Andrews, Baty Co., Ltd., Christchurch.