UNIT I
PROSE
1. On Saying Please – A.G Gardiner
2. How I become a Public Speaker – George Bernard Shaw
Shaw used to attend the Zetetical meetings every week but he had never spoken in public. When he attempted to talk in debates, he couldn't continue. He was too nervous. In spite of that, he prepared well by reading all the subjects. He was successful in his third attempt. He was appreciated by everyone.
Later, Shaw made use of all his opportunities. He talked in all the meetings he was called for. He worked hard and soon he came out of his nervousness. He could extemporize his speech for one hour. He became a successful speaker for the next twelve years.
Shaw never got payment for his speeches. He used to get the usual fee and then gave it back as a donation to the Society. So he got perfect freedom to talk on any subject he liked. Once, a man disturbed his speech in the Town Hall of Dover. He charged Shaw as a hired professional agitator from London. At once Shaw told him the truth that he was there at his own expense.
As a speaker, Shaw always handled the critical situations cleverly. In St.James Hall, London, he was about to give a speech in favour of women's suffrage. A hostile group of Socialists met him before the meeting. At once Shaw gave a-chance to the leader to talk in the second part of the meeting.
Shaw considers the committee training and platform technique as a necessary habit for a speaker. Without that, even the gifted writers fail in their attempt. Once, Shaw had a debate with H.G. Wells a famous writer. In the course of debate, H.G. Wells was irritated and misbehaved. He did not have committee habit. So he failed as a speaker.
Finally, Shaw advises that a public speaker should have proper practice in pronunciation from a phonetically competent teacher. He says that he had never forgotten his acquired technique as a platform artist till his final retirement.
3. Shyness My Shield – M.K. Gandhi
4. Buddha The Light of Asia – Ernest O Hauser