provide a systematic method of gathering proof for any proposition; and if these several steps are repeated in connection with every proposition that appears in the debater's various chains of reasoning, then the debater may proceed with full assurance that the preparation of his case is complete. CHAPTER IV MAKING THE SPEECH1 Importance of the Speech. The three outstanding problems in debate are: First, choosing the subject; second, assembling the proof; and third, making the speech. Of these three problems, that of making the speech represents the culmination of all other efforts in debate. No one of these problems is, of course, more essential than another; and yet the problem of making the speech must be recognized as all-important; since the others are merely preparatory for this; and since success or failure must depend eventually upon the way in which this problem is met. The Beginner's Difficulties in Making the Speech. - Making the speech presents no greater difficulties than other problems in debate; but these difficulties, nevertheless, are frequently very embarrassing, especially to beginners; because they do not know how the speech should be prepared; what method of presentation should be adopted; or what style of speaking should be cultivated. The difficulties to be considered, therefore, in the problem of speech-making revolve about: 1. The Preparation of the Speech; 2. The Method of Presenting the Speech; and 1 For lesson assignments on Making the Speech, see Appendix A. I. PREPARATION OF THE SPEECH The Preparation of the Speech. The two most valuable suggestions that can be made concerning the preparation of a speech are: First, that it should be built around only three or four main points; and second, that it must be composed from an outline. Value of Having Only Three or Four Main Points. - The value of having only three or four main points consists in the fact that audiences generally cannot carry in mind any larger number of points; and, within any ordinary time-limits for speaking, no more than this number of points can be adequately treated. Selection of the Main Points. The first problem in preparing for a speech, therefore, is to select the main points about which the speech is to be built. This selection may very easily be made: First, by selecting several points that may be used to summarize the proof on either side; that is, points which serve as main heads in all the different chains of reasoning leading to the proof or the disproof of the proposition; then second, by selecting from these summarizing points, those on which there must be a clash of opinion between the parties; and third, by selecting from these points of clash, those three or four points upon which the speaker has a burden of proof. Such points may always serve as satisfactory main points about which to build a speech. Value of an Outline. The second most valuable suggestion for preparing a speech is that it must be composed from an outline. This suggestion is, of course, quite familiar to all students of either written or oral composition; and yet it cannot be repeated and emphasized too often; for, of all the good ad vice that was ever given, none is more consistently ignored than this, especially by beginners in writing and speaking, who are the very persons who need it most. Every conceivable method is employed by beginners to avoid carrying out this suggestion. Sometimes speeches are composed without any outline at all; sometimes the outline is made after the speech is written or delivered; and sometimes a partial outline is attempted and then thrown away without being used. All these makeshifts to escape the task of planning out one's work in advance are adopted with the thought that an outline merely adds to the difficulty of preparation without contributing anything to the final result. Such a theory, however, is contrary to general experience, and the beginner will soon realize how misleading it is, after he has failed again and again to say in a speech what he should have said or what he hoped to say, merely because he refused to compose his speech from an outline. An outline, therefore, is valuable to a debater, because it makes him prepare in advance what he has to say. It makes him realize whether or not he has anything to say; just what he has to say; the order in which he should say it; and how little time he has for saying any of it. Structural Outlines and Brief-Outlines. In the process of building an outline there are generally two distinct stages of development. The first stage is that in which the general divisions and subdivisions of the speech are established; and the second stage is that in which specific material is introduced under each of the general divisions and subdivisions. An outline in the first stage of development is called a structural outline; and an outline in the second stage is called a brief-outline. Main Divisions of a Structural Outline. The three main divisions of a speech that will appear in a structural outline are: The Introduction; The Discussion; and The Conclusion. The purpose of the Introduction is to announce the main points in controversy, to create an interest in these points, and to make plain the reasons for their selection. The purpose of the Discussion is to advance proof for, or against, the main points in controversy. The purpose of the Conclusion is to recall these main points in controversy, to review the proof offered by both sides in a discussion of these points, and to appeal for a favorable decision on the proposition as it has been proved or disproved by these points. Structural Outline of the Introduction. -A structural out line for the Introduction of a speech will usually involve the following subdivisions: 7. A Statement of Points to Be Proved or Disproved by an Opponent; and 8. A Statement of Points to Be Proved in One's Own Case. 1 For exhaustive study of issues, see Chapter III, Part III. |