adhere to your theme. In such attempts to
mold public opinion--whether it be the collective opinion of a small
school class, or a million voters--you will find opportunities for the
inclusion of everything you know of the particular subject and of all
human nature. Convinced yourself of the worthiness of your cause, bend
every mental and intellectual effort to making others understand as
you do, see as you do. If your reasoning is clear and converting, if
your manner is direct and sincere, you should be able to induce others
to believe as you do.

The Persuasive Speech. In public speaking upon occasions when votes
are to be cast, where reforms are to be instituted, where changes are
to be inaugurated, you have not finished when you have turned the
mental attitude, and done no more. You must arouse the will to act.
Votes must be cast for the measure you approve. The reform you urge
must be financed at once. The change must be registered. To accomplish
such a purpose you must do more than merely prove; you must persuade.

In the use of his power over people to induce them to noble,
high-minded action lies the supreme importance of the public speaker.

EXERCISES

1. Choose some recent event which you and your friends might celebrate
by a dinner. As toastmaster, deliver the first after-dinner remarks
drawing attention to the occasion and introducing some one to speak.

2. Deliver the after-dinner speech just introduced.

3. Introduce some other member of the class, who is not closely
connected with the event being celebrated, and who therefore is a
guest.

4. Deliver this speech, being careful to make your remarks correspond
to the preceding.

5. A debating team has won a victory. Deliver the speech such a
victory deserves.

6. An athletic team has won a victory. As a non-participant, present
the trophy.

7. An athletic team has finished a season without winning the
championship. Speak upon such a result.

8. The city or state has finished some great project. Speak upon its
significance.

9. Address an audience of girls or women upon their right to vote.

10. Speak in approval of some recently elected official in your
community.

11. Choose some single event in the history of your immediate
locality. Speak upon it.

12. Deliver a commemorative address suitable for the next holiday.

13. Bring into prominence some man or woman connected with the past of
your community.

14. An unheralded hero.

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