Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.
Synopsis
Fluency looks like an easy, ready use of words, but it is 'almost entirely a matter of preparation.' Readiness, properly understood, is preparedness: 'they are most ready who are best prepared.' Fluency depends on two conditions — real knowledge of the subject, and practice in telling what one knows to an audience. No one, however gifted, speaks fluently on a subject he does not know; even Mr. Bryan, fluent on political questions, would falter on the bird life of the Everglades. Preparation is both general and specific: general preparation is the whole of a life's reading, thought, and friendship poured into the person over years, while specific preparation addresses the particular speech at hand. Practice must also be both general and specific, and it is essential that principles of delivery become habitual before stepping onto the platform, since conscious attention on the platform must go only to the message, not to technique — 'there is an absolute telepathy between the audience and the speaker.' Fluency is thus a dividend paid by discipline: the flow of a man's speech moves only as fast as his habitual practice has made it.
Key points
- Fluency is not a natural gift alone but 'almost entirely a matter of preparation.'
- True readiness is preparedness — no one is fluent on a subject he does not know.
- Preparation is both general (a lifetime of reading and thought) and specific (for the particular speech).
- Practice must make technique habitual so that on the platform attention goes only to the message.
- Friendly conversation is a valuable, practical way of developing and clarifying fluency of thought.
Key texts
- Exodus 4:10-12
- Jeremiah 1:6-9
- Proverbs 15:28
- 2 Timothy 2:15
From the book
Chapter XI — Fluency Through Preparation · Open the reader
- “Fluency is almost entirely a matter of preparation.”
- “Readiness, in its prime sense, is preparedness, and they are most ready who are best prepared.”
- “There is an absolute telepathy between the audience and the speaker.”
Put it into practice
- Do not attempt to speak fluently on a subject you have not truly studied; build knowledge first.
- Practice speaking your material aloud to a friend before delivering it publicly.
- Drill principles of delivery in private practice so they become habitual, then think only of your message on the platform.
- Comprehension
1. According to the chapter, what is fluency 'almost entirely a matter of'?
- Scripture
2. How does the chapter use Moses to encourage the reader who feels unready to speak?
- Comprehension
3. Explain the difference the chapter draws between general and specific preparation.
- Doctrinal Clarity
4. Why does the chapter say you must not think of technique while on the platform?
- Contrast
5. Contrast the fluency of Mr. Bryan and Mr. Burroughs as the chapter presents them.
- Doctrinal Clarity
6. What value does the chapter place on friendly conversation for developing fluency?
- Comprehension
7. What warning does the chapter give about practicing new principles of delivery, such as inflection?
- Doctrinal Clarity
8. Why does the chapter compare mastering delivery to a beginner learning the piano?
- Application
9. Consider a subject on which you personally speak fluently. How much of that fluency comes from genuine preparation rather than natural gift?
- Application
10. Choose an upcoming occasion when you must speak. What specific preparation, beyond general knowledge, will you undertake before it?