—Abridged.
Overcoming the Rising Inflection
One of the most effective elements of convincing speech is the inflection.
By inflection is meant the glide of the voice to a higher or lower pitch. This glide may be quick and short, or long and slow. It may be a rising or falling glide, or both.
Complaints are constantly being made against the improper use of the “rising inflection.” This misuse of one of the most invaluable agencies for forceful utterance is persistently indulged in by the majority of students. It is a common fault.
Its disastrous effect does not lie merely in ineffectiveness of speech, yet that in itself ought to be sufficient cause for its cure, but rather in its destructibility of the pupil’s will-power and self-confidence. The pupil who has persisted in answering with a question mark in his voice is indelibly marked. He is likely to be dependent instead of independent and dependable; he is groping in the dark for a crutch in order to keep his mental balance.
The most flagrant causes for such improper and inexcusable speech may be enumerated under two heads:
On the Part of the Pupil
The pupil is not sure of the answer.
The pupil wishes to please the teacher.