PREFACE. IN teaching elocution the author has felt the need of a book different from what he could secure. Many good books on theory are to be found. Choice selections are abundant. But to secure a book that contained proper exercises for drills, and also a variety of popular selections, is impossible. In order to select fifteen or twenty selections for a reading class, or an elocutionary contest, many books would have to be used. To meet this want this volume has been prepared. In Part I. the author has given what he considers the best way to teach beginners how to read. Part II. gives a full discussion of Dictionary work. Part III. contains hints and suggestions to teachers of Reading. Part IV. is a full discussion of the elements of Elocution. Part V. contains the most popular selections now in use. Among them the entire programme of most of the popular elocutionists and readers can be found. The author has collected all grades and sentiments of recitations-Humorous, Dramatic, Oratorical, and Didactic. The author desires to make grateful acknowledgments for the assistance he has received. Prof. V. A. Pinkley prepared all of Part IV., and is entirely responsible for the same. This part is a condensed elocution, and it will certainly do much to elevate the art of elocution. Prof. Warren McBroom, of Crawfordsville, Ind., prepared the chapter on Elementary Sounds. The article, How TO TEACH READING, was prepared by S. E. Thomas, President of Kentucky University, Paducah, Ky. That this book may aid teachers in their work is the sincere hope of the author. J. VINCENT COOMBS. |