How often we hear people around us say of a public speaker: Why doesn’t he speak so that people can hear him? or more clearly and distinctly? etc.
During the training of would-be officers for our speedily required army quite a number were passed as incompetent because their voices were inadequate to give command. Only recently one of the authors was present at a high school military drill. The boy in command had a high, piping voice, of which he had little control, and he was openly laughed at by his fellows to his intense mortification and disgust. A good voice, properly trained and obedient to the will of the personality behind it is an invaluable asset in life to every one.
If one does not possess it, he must gain it, and to accomplish this theory is of little or no avail. The student must practice diligently and persistently. The following exercises are carefully selected for the purpose of giving power and voice control.
Exercises in Inflectional Agility
The Rising, Quick, Short Glide
Note: The italicized words are to be given quick, short, rising inflection.
Attention.
Get on your mark! get set! go!
Company, halt!
Get ready, aim, fire!