(a) Have someone read aloud to you three sentences capable of being understood by a person of ordinary intellect. Try to repeat in your own words every idea given in the reading.
This is not a memory exercise.
(b) The next time you find yourself interrupting someone, check yourself at once, and try to repeat in your own mind the substance of what the speaker has last uttered.
(c) The next time you find yourself a part of an audience to which a sermon or lecture is being delivered, say to yourself, “I am going to get at least for practice’s sake every idea this speaker has to offer.” Then note how short a time it is before you miss a phrase.
3. In regard to the power of exposition,—
(a) With your hands behind your back, try to describe in a sentence each one of the following articles:
A barrel, a scabbard, a tea kettle, a potato, a billiard cue, a chrysanthemum, a dumb-bell, your shoes, a fox terrier, a grand piano.
(b) Give the shortest complete description you can of the parts and working of a rifle.