Speech Tips
"Rules for good speech"
In an essay by William Enfield published in 1808, the rules for
good speech were clearly listed:
- Let your articulation be distinct and deliberate.
- Let your pronunciation be bold and forcible.
- Acquire compass and variety in the height of your voice.
- Pronounce your words with propriety and elegance.
- Pronounce every word consisting of more than one syllable with its proper ACCENT.
- In every sentence, distinguish the more significant words by a natural, forcible, and varied EMPHASIS.
- Acquire a just variety of Pause and Inflection.
- Accompany the emotions and passions, which your words express, by correspondent tones, looks and gestures.
They remain as important today.