READING AND ELOCUTION.
1. What is Reading?
Silent perusal or distinct utterance of thought and feeling, as seen expressed in written language.
2. How many kinds of Reading are there?
Two.
3. What are they?
Silent and Audible.
4. What is Silent Reading?
The perusal of Language without utterance.
5. What is Audible Reading?
The utterance of thought and feeling, as seen expressed in written Language.
6. What is Elocution?
The science and art of the delivery of composition.
7. How many kinds of Delivery are there?
Three.
8. What are they?
Speaking, Declamation, and Oratory.
9. What is Speaking?
The utterance of thought and feeling without reference to the written page.
10. What is Declamation?
The delivery of another's composition.
11. What is Oratory?
The delivery of one's own composition.
12. How many kinds of Oratory are there?
Two.
13. What are they?
Prepared and Extempore.
14. What is Prepared oratory?
That which has been studied previous to delivery.
15. What is Extempore oratory?
That which is accomplished simultaneously with the delivery.
16. What is Vocal Culture?
The training of the organs of speech for effective delivery.
17. What should be the primary object in Audible reading?
To convey to the hearer the ideas and sentiments of the writer.
18. In order to accomplish this, what should the Reader do?
Endeavor to make the feelings and sentiments of the writer his own.
19. What are some of the essential qualities of a good Reader?
To read slowly, observe the pauses, give proper inflections, read distinctly, and with expression.
20. What is Enunciation?
The utterance of words.
21. Under how many Divisions should the subject of reading be treated?
Six.
22. What are they?
Articulation, Inflection, Accent, Emphasis, the Voice, and Gesture.
23. What is Articulation?
Distinct utterance of the elementary sounds, and of the combinations.
24. Name four common faults in Articulation.
Omitting an unaccented vocal, dropping the final sound, sounding incorrectly an unaccented vowel, and omitting syllables.
25. What is Inflection?
Sliding of the voice upward or downward.
26. How many kinds of Inflection are there?
Two.
27. What are they?
Rising and falling.
28. What is the Rising inflection?
An upward slide of the voice.
29. What is the Falling inflection?
A downward slide of the voice.
30. Are the rising and falling inflections both ever given to the same sound?
They are.
31. How is such inflection marked?
By the Circumflex.
32. How many kinds of Circumflex?
Two.
33. What are they?
Rising and falling.
34. What is the Rising Circumflex?
The sliding of the voice downward and then upward on the same sound.
35. What is the Falling Circumflex?
The sliding of the voice upward and then downward on the same sound.
36. What is a Monotone?
Reading without sliding the voice either upward or downward.
37. Give Rule 1 for falling inflection.
Propositions which make complete sense require the falling inflection.
38. Does Emphasis ever reverse this rule?
It does sometimes.
39. Give Rule 2.
Emphasis generally requires the falling inflection.
40. Where the sense is dependent, what inflection is generally used?
The rising.
41. Does Emphasis ever affect this rule?
Relative emphasis sometimes reverses it.
42. What kind of inflection should be used at the end of an interrogative sentence?
Falling, if it cannot be answered by yes or no.
43. Negative sentences require what kind of inflection?
Rising.
44. Does Emphasis ever affect this rule?
It does; often reversing it.
45. Imperative sentences have what inflection?
Usually the falling.
46. What kind of words require opposite inflection?
Words or members expressing antithesis or contrast.
47. What is a Series?
A number of particulars following one another in the same construction.
48. How many kinds of Series?
Two.
49. What are they?
Commencing and Concluding.
50. What is a Commencing Series?
One that commences a sentence.
51. What is a Concluding Series?
One that concludes a sentence.
52. What inflection is given to the members of a commencing series?
The rising.
53. What inflection is given to the members of a concluding series?
The falling.
54. Are there any exceptions to these rules?
There are.
55. What causes the exceptions?
Emphasis.
56. What is a Parenthesis in reading?
A sentence, or clause, set off by curves from the context.
57. How should the Parenthesis be read?
In a lower tone and more rapidly.
58. What is the use of the Circumflex?
To express irony, or sarcasm.
59. What meaning is always suggested by the Circumflex?
Doubtful or double meaning.
60. What is the use of the Monotones?
To produce an effect in grave and solemn subjects.
61. What is Accent in reading?
Increase of force on certain syllables of a word.
62. Give an example of Emphatic accent.
This corrup'tion must put on in'terruption.
63. What does Pitch signify?
The place in the musical scale on which an element is sounded.
64. What is Force?
That property of the voice which relates to loudness of sound.
65. How many different kinds of Force?
Five.
66. What are they?
Suppressed, subdued, ordinary, energetic, and vehement.
67. To what does Stress relate?
Different modes of applying force.
68. How many kinds of Stress?
Three.
69. What are they?
Expulsive, Explosive, and Vanishing.
70. What is meant by Quantity?
Length of time the voice dwells on a word.
71. What is Quality?
That property which relates to the kind of voice.
72. What is Movement?
The degree of rapidity with which the voice moves from one word to another.
73. How many kinds of Movement?
Six.
74. What are they?
Very slow, slow, moderate, lively, rapid, and very rapid.
75. What does Expression comprehend?
The practical application of all the principles of reading and elocution.
76. What is Cadence?
The natural dropping of the voice at the end of a sentence, denoting completeness of thought.
77. What is a Rhetorical pause?
A suspension of the voice for rhetorical effect.
78. What is Emphasis?
Giving force and energy to certain words.
79. How many kinds of Emphasis?
Two.
80. What are they?
Absolute and relative.
81. What is Absolute emphasis?
Emphasis made without any contrast with other words.
82. What is Relative emphasis?
Emphasis used where there is antithesis either expressed or implied.
83. Is a whole Phrase ever made emphatic?
It is often.
84. For what purpose?
To give it great force.
85. What is the Emphatic pause?
Pause made for emphasis.
86. What is Antithesis?
Two or more words opposed to each other in meaning.
87. What is a Climax?
A series of particulars increasing in importance to the last.
88. What is Anti-climax?
A series of particulars decreasing in importance to the last.
89. What is meant by Transition?
Any sudden change in reading.
90. What is Emphatic repetition?
Words repeated for emphasis.
91. What is an Interrogation?
A statement, or assertion, put in the form of a question.
92. What is an Exclamation?
A statement denoting strong emotions.
93. What is Personation?
One person imitating the actions and manners of some other person or persons.
94. How many kinds of style in reading?
Five.
95. What are they?
Description, Argument, Narration, Persuasion, Exhortation.
96. What should be characteristic of the Descriptive style?
The Speaker should use the same manner that he would if he were actually describing the thing spoken of.
97. What should be characteristic of the Argumentative style?
Directness and earnestness.
98. What should characterize the Narrative?
The Reader should proceed as though relating his own experience.
99. What the Persuasive?
Those tones, looks, and gestures which bring conviction to the hearer.
100. What should characterize the Exhortative?
The performer should appeal, beseech, and implore, as the case may require.
101. What is the Slur?
The smooth gliding of the voice in parenthetic clauses, etc.
102. How are Emphatic words distinguished?
By different styles of printing.
103. How many kinds of letters are used to denote emphasis?
Three usually.
104. What are they?
Italics, small capitals, and capitals.
105. What is Antithetic emphasis?
Same as Relative.
106. What is Modulation?
Variation of the voice in speaking and reading.
107. What is Pure tone?
A clear, flowing sound, with moderate pitch.
108. What is the Orotund?
Pure tone intensified.
109. For what is it adapted?
To express sublime and pathetic emotions.
110. What is the Aspirated tone?
An expulsion of breath, the words being spoken in a whisper.
111. What is the Guttural quality?
Deep undertone.
112. What does it express?
Hatred, contempt, loathing, etc.
113. What is the Trembling tone?
A constant waver of the voice.
114. What does it express?
An intense degree of suppressed excitement, or personates old age.
115. What are Pauses?
Suspensions of the voice in reading or speaking.
116. How many kinds of pauses are there?
Two.
117. What are they?
Grammatical and Rhetorical.
118. What is Suspensive quantity?
Prolongation of the voice at the end of a word without making an actual pause.
119. What does Quantity embrace?
Force and rate.
120. What quality of voice is mostly used in speaking and reading?
Pure tone.
121. What is meant by Prose?
All composition which is not written in verse.
122. What are some of the varieties of Prose?
Letters, Essays, Travels, History, and Discourses.
123. What is a Letter as a variety of prose?
A written communication addressed by the writer to some other person.
124. What is an Essay?
A written discourse on some special subject.
125. What are Travels?
Records of journeys.
126. What is History?
A record of past events.
127. What is a Discourse?
A performance read or spoken to an audience.
128. Should the voice agree in style with the different varieties of prose?
It should, and the performer should endeavor to produce the exact sentiments of the writer.
129. What is Poetry?
A discourse written in verse and metrical language.
130. What is a Verse?
A single line of metrical language.
131. Is it correct to use the term verse in speaking of a division of prose?
It is not.
132. What should we call such division?
Paragraph or Division.
133. What is a Stanza?
A number of metrical lines, or verses, combined according to a regular system.
134. How many kinds of metrical language?
Two.
135. What are they?
Rhyme and Blank Verse.
136. What is Rhyme?
That language in which the concluding syllables of the verses have a similarity of sound.
137. How many kinds of Rhyme?
Two.
138. What are they?
Perfect and imperfect.
139. What is a Perfect rhyme?
Where the vowels have the same sound.
140. What is an Imperfect rhyme?
Where the vowels have a different sound.
141. What is Blank Verse?
A kind of metrical language in which there is no similarity of sound.
142. What is the Cæsura pause?
A rhythmic pause occurring in a verse.
143. How many rules should be observed in the use of the Cæsura?
Three.
144. Give Rule 1.
The pause should be near the middle of the verse.
145. Give Rule 2.
It should never divide a word.
146. Give Rule 3.
Should not separate words from their modifiers, as adjectives from nouns, adverbs from verbs, etc.
147. Do all verses have the Cæsura pause?
They do if over three feet in length.
148. What is meant by a Foot in verse?
A certain portion of a line divided according to accent.
149. When melody comes in contact with accent, which should yield?
Accent.
150. Is there any other rhythmic pause than the Cæsura?
There is; the demi-cæsura is sometimes used.
151. How many kinds of Poetry are there?
Seven.
152. What are they?
Epic, Dramatic, Lyric, Elegiac, Didactic, Satiric and Pastoral.
153. What is an Epic poem?
A poetical recital of some great and heroic enterprise.
154. Are there many Epic poems?
There are not; most nations have one.
155. Name the three Epics of greatest note.
Homer's Iliad, Virgil's Æneid, and Milton's Paradise Lost.
156. What language were these poems written in?
The Iliad in Greek, Æneid in Latin, and Paradise Lost in English.
157. What does the Iliad describe or narrate?
The downfall of Troy, which was the most memorable event in the early history of the Trojans and Greeks.
158. What does the Æneid narrate?
The perils and labors of Æneas, who was the reputed founder of the Roman race.
159. What does Paradise Lost describe?
The downfall of not only the Human but of the Angelic host.
160. What is a Dramatic poem?
One similar in many respects to an Epic.
161. Name some point of difference.
Epic relates past events; the Drama represents events as taking place at the present time.
162. Name the greatest Dramatic writer of the English.
Shakespeare.
163. What is a Drama called that is set to music?
An opera.
164. What is a Melodrama?
A dramatic poem some parts of which are spoken and some are sung.
165. What is Lyric Poetry?
It is the oldest kind of poetry, and was originally intended to be sung to the accompaniment of the lyre.
166. What are Sonnets?
A kind of Lyric Poems.
167. What is an Elegy?
A poem of a mournful kind, usually celebrating the virtues of some person deceased.
168. What is an Epitaph?
A short Elegy inscribed on a monument, or written in praise of any one.
169. What is a Pastoral poem?
One that describes country life.
170. What is a Didactic poem?
One the aim of which is to give instruction.
171. What is Meditative Poetry?
A kind of Didactic poetry.
172. Name two noted Didactic poems.
Bryant's "Thanatopsis," and Campbell's "Pleasures of Hope."
173. What is a Satire?
One that holds up the follies of men to ridicule.
174. Is a Satire personal?
It is not.
175. What is a Lampoon?
A poem that attacks individuals.
176. What is Gesture?
Expression given to language by movements of the body, limbs, etc.
177. What kind of Gesture is most appropriate?
That which is natural.
178. What attitude should be used in reading and speaking?
Standing.
179. Which hand should hold the book?
The left, if possible.
180. Should a Reader keep his eyes on the book constantly?
He should not; but cast the eyes away from the page as often as possible.
181. Should a gesture be made while the eyes are looking on the book?
It should not.
182. In what kind of language are gestures inappropriate?
Didactic or unimpassioned discourse.
183. Should a Speaker begin to gesticulate as soon as he begins his discourse?
Very seldom, before he has entered fully into the discourse.
184. How many positions are recognized for the hand when not used in gesticulating?
Three.
185. What are they?
Hanging naturally at the side; resting upon the hip with the elbow thrown backward; and resting on your bosom.
186. What are Descriptive gestures?
Those used in describing objects.
187. What are Significant gestures?
Those which have special signification.
188. Name some Significant gestures of the head.
It drops in grief and shame, and nods in assent; shakes in dissent, and leans forward in attention.
189. Name some Significant gestures of the eyes.
Raised in prayer, weep in sorrow, burn in anger, and are cast on vacancy in thought.
190. Name some of the passions of the mind.
Love, anger, joy, sorrow, fear, and courage.
191. What tone of voice should be used in the expression of Love?
Soft, smooth, and languishing voice.
192. What tone of voice should be used to express Anger?
Strong, vehement, and elevated voice.
193. Where is the best place to practice elocution and reading?
In the open air, or in a well ventilated room.
194. Should a Reader or Speaker pay strict attention to the rules of elocution?
He should not, but study nature rather.
195. What is the Soul of Oratory?
Emotion.
196. What is meant by the Compass of the voice?
The range in which it can be properly controlled.
197. How may the Compass of the voice be increased?
By continued practice on a very low and very high key.
198. Should a Reader or Speaker drink any liquid while exercising the voice?
He should not, for it is injurious to the vocal chords.
199. What effect does Tobacco have on the voice?
It enfeebles the nervous system and breathing organs, and makes the voice dry, harsh, and ungovernable.
200. What effect do Stimulants have on the voice?
Irritate and inflame the vocal organs, which results in hoarseness and produces too high a key, which terminates in a squeaking tone.
201. In faulty articulation what sounds are usually mispronounced?
The vowel sounds of the unaccented syllables.
202. What Consonants are often incorrectly dropped?
The final consonants.
203. How may distinct Articulation be acquired?
By continued practice of the elementary sounds.
204. What are the most prominent Elements of all words?
The vowels.
205. Which sounds should be practiced first?
The vowels; as they are the most easily uttered.
206. Can the sounds of the Consonants be given alone?
They can by practice.
207. What is the source of the greatest defect in Articulation?
Improper sounding of the consonants.
208. What kind of Inflection is generally given to words of great emphasis?
The falling; unless the sentiment requires the rising.
209. When is the Inflection of a question changed from the falling to the rising?
When it is repeated or made emphatic.
210. In the introductory part of a sentence, where the sense is incomplete, what inflection is used?
Unless great emphasis is required, the rising should be used.
211. The names of persons addressed in formal speech require what inflection?
The falling should always be used in such cases.
212. General statements require what inflection?
The falling.
213. For the sake of harmony, what principle should govern the reader?
When a sentence ends with the falling inflection, the rising should precede it.
214. When sentences commence with verbs, what inflection is required?
Mostly the rising.
215. What is meant by an Echo in reading?
Interrogative exclamations, where the question is repeated.
216. Give an example of Echo.
What's the trouble? What's the trouble? trouble enough.
217. What inflection should be given to members of sentences connected disjunctively?
First member, the rising; second member, the falling.
218. When several Emphatic words or members come together, how should they be inflected?
The most emphatic, the falling; and the others the rising.
219. What is a Simple Series in reading?
A series of particulars that is composed of single words.
220. What is meant by a Compound Series?
One that is composed of clauses is called compound.
221. What determines Accent?
The usage of our best speakers and writers of the present.
222. To whom does it belong to determine and record such usage?
The Lexicographers.
223. Are there any cases in which we can trace the reason for the accent?
There are; in discriminating accent where it is used to determine the parts of speech.
224. Do we ever have two sets of Antitheses in the same sentence?
We do; as each member may contain an antithesis.
225. Give an example.
John was hurt; William escaped.
226. How many sets of Antitheses may be used in one sentence?
Often three; but seldom more.
227. Should there be any difference in the tone of voice used in reading verse and prose?
There should be a difference.
228. What different style ought to be used?
The monotone and rising inflection are more frequently used in verse than in prose.
229. What is the greatest difficulty met with in reading or declaiming poetic selections?
In giving it that measured flow which distinguishes it from prose, without falling into a continued monotone.
230. What is a good method to break up this habit?
Reduce the selection to prose, and deliver it in an earnest, conversational style.
231. Why should there be a short pause at the end of each line of poetry, even where the sense does not require it?
In order that the measure of the poem may be more perceptible to the ear.
232. What is it that constitutes the melody of a poem?
The pauses and accents chiefly.
233. What rule should govern the reader in the use of pauses and accents?
Use variety, and not make them too prominent.
234. What tone of voice should be used in reading a Simile in poetry?
The simile should be read in a lower tone than the rest of the passage.
235. What, with regard to the voice, is an important object to every speaker and reader?
The important object is to have a full, even tone of voice.
236. What key of the voice should be most diligently improved?
The natural key, or that which is used most.
237. What is meant by the natural key or pitch?
That which is peculiar to the individual, and in which he can use most easily to himself, and most agreeably to others.
238. How can the natural tone of voice be strengthened?
By reading and speaking as loud as possible, without suffering the voice to rise into a higher key.
239. What is the best method of strengthening the natural key?
By speaking and reading strong, animated passages in a small room.
240. How may low tones be acquired?
By continued practice in a lower key than the natural.
241. How may a high key be acquired?
In the same manner as a low key; by pitching the voice first a little higher than the natural, and mastering that thoroughly, then still higher and higher.
242. What is meant by Rotundity of the voice?
That peculiar form of tone which the Romans called "Ore rotundo," which signifies "Round mouth."
243. In what kind of sentences is the Rotundity of the voice exemplified?
In the hailing of vessels, and is used especially by sailors and officers.
244. Which is the most difficult: to raise the voice to a higher pitch, or to bring it to a lower?
The lowering of the voice is more difficult, and requires great care and practice.
245. What is a common fault with most public speakers?
To run the voice into too high a key, and thus weary the hearers.
246. What is a good rule by which to govern the voice?
To start on a key lower than the natural, and thus avoid running too high.
247. What are the principal styles of different reading selections?
Descriptive, Narrative, Senatorial, Moral, Didactic, Dramatic, and Amusing.
248. What tone of voice should be used in reading a Descriptive selection?
The ordinary, natural tone, with a careful use of emphasis.
249. What tone of voice is best adapted to the reading of a Narration?
The conversational tone, with as little reference to the printed page as possible.
250. What style is the best adapted to Senatorial reading?
An imitative style and tone, being careful in the use of the emphatic pause.
251. What tone is best adapted to the reading of Moral and Religious selections?
Low and moderate tone, expressing feeling and sentiment, being careful not to read too fast.
252. What style is best adapted to Didactic reading?
That peculiar style which is best adapted to impart instruction, laying special stress on the important idea.
253. What style and tone are best adapted to the reading of Dramatic selections?
A style and tone which are entirely imitative in character.
254. What tone or character of voice is best suited to the rendering of Amusing selections?
That which will bring out the mirthful sentiment, to the exclusion of all rules for accent, emphasis, etc.
255. Should all persons use the same tones of voice and style in reading selections?
They should not; as individuals are differently constituted, so they have different ways of expressing their ideas and sentiments.