speaking.

Lord Lytton emphasized the vital importance of earnest purpose in the
speaker. Referring to speech in the British Parliament he said, "Have
but fair sense and a competent knowledge of your subject, and then be
thoroughly in earnest to impress your own honest conviction upon others,
and no matter what your delivery, tho your gestures shock every rule in
Quintilian, you will command the ear and influence the debates of the
most accomplished, the most fastidious, and, take it altogether, the
noblest assembly of freemen in the world."

Keep in mind that the purpose of your public speaking is not only to
convince but also to persuade your hearers. It is not sufficient that
they merely agree with what you say; you must persuade them also to act
as you desire.

Hence you should aim to reach both their minds and hearts. Solid
argument, clear method, and indisputable facts are necessary for the
first purpose; vivid imagination, concrete illustration, and animated
feeling are necessary for the second.


THE NEED OF A KNOWLEDGE OF HUMAN NATURE

It will be of great practical value to you to have a knowledge of the
average man comprising your audience, his tastes, preferences,
prejudices, and proclivities. The more you adapt your speech to such an
average man, the more successful are you likely to be in influencing the
entire audience.