We spoke in the preceding chapter of the mechanical exercises necessary to make speaking an easy matter.
We must not forget, however, that before one can speak one has to think.
Words will spring of themselves to our lips the moment we have a definite conception of the idea they serve to present. As a proof of this contention one has only to cite the case of those persons who, while ordinarily experiencing great difficulty in expressing themselves, become suddenly clear, persuasive, and even eloquent when it comes to discussing a subject in which they are deeply interested.
The study of the art of speaking will become, then, for people of timidity, over and above the mechanical exercises that we have prescribed in a former chapter, a profound analysis of the subject upon which they are likely to be called upon to express themselves.
One should strive to describe things in short sentences as elegantly phrased as possible.
When the idea we wish to convey seems to be exprest in a confused fashion, one should not hesitate to seek for a change of phraseology that will make it more concise and clear.
But above all--above all, we must pull ourselves up short and begin over again if any tendency to stammer, to hesitate, or to become confused, begins to manifest itself.
Just as soon as one feels more at one's ease one can seek to put in practise all these special studies.
Nothing is quite so disconcerting as the idea of stammering or stopping short.
For this reason it is imperative that one should begin all over again the moment such an accident occurs.