The Art of Public Speaking
by J. Berg Esenwein & Dale Carnegie (1867–1946)
- Free to read
- 11 hours to read
- 32 chapters
- Reading level: 8th & 9th grade
"The Art of Public Speaking" by J. Berg Esenwein and Dale Carnegie is a self-help guide written in the early 20th century. This book focuses on the principles and techniques required for effective public speaking, emphasizing the importance of self-confidence, clarity, and the individual expression of thoughts. It aims to serve as a comprehensive resource for anyone seeking to improve their public speaking skills, making it suitable for both novices and experienced speakers. The opening of the book establishes foundational principles for public speaking, asserting that effective communication is rooted in the speaker's internal qualities rather than mere external techniques. The authors emphasize that confidence is key, recommending that speakers confront their fears by practicing in front of audiences. They argue that self-consciousness can be overcome by absorbing oneself in the subject matter and prioritizing the message over personal insecurities. Additionally, the chapter lays out the necessity of preparation, suggesting that a well-informed speaker who expresses genuine passion is likely to engage an audience far more effectively than one who lacks substance or is bogged down by self-doubt.
Read the opening
Chapter I
ACQUIRING CONFIDENCE BEFORE AN AUDIENCE
There is a strange sensation often experienced in the presence
of an audience. It may proceed from the gaze of the many eyes
that turn upon the speaker, especially if he permits himself to
steadily return that gaze. Most speakers have been conscious of
this in a nameless thrill, a real something, pervading the
atmosphere, tangible, evanescent, indescribable. All writers
have borne testimony to the power of a speaker's eye in
impressing an audience. This influence which we are now
considering is the reverse of that picture—the power their
eyes may exert upon him, especially before he begins to speak:
after the inward fires of oratory are fanned into flame the eyes
of the audience lose all terror.
—WILLIAM PITTENGER, Extempore Speech.
Students of public speaking continually ask, "How can I overcome self-consciousness and the fear that paralyzes me before an audience?"
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About this edition
This free edition of The Art of Public Speaking by J. Berg Esenwein & Dale Carnegie comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #16317, released 2005-07-17. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: How To ..., Language & Communication.
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