Chapter 4

43. _Negative sentences require what kind of inflection?_ Rising.

44. _Does Emphasis ever affect this rule?_ It does; often reversing it.

45. _Imperative sentences have what inflection?_ Usually the falling.

46. _What kind of words require opposite inflection?_ Words or members expressing antithesis or contrast.

47. _What is a Series?_ A number of particulars following one another in the same construction.

48. _How many kinds of Series?_ Two.

49. _What are they?_ Commencing and Concluding.

50. _What is a Commencing Series?_ One that commences a sentence.

51. _What is a Concluding Series?_ One that concludes a sentence.

52. _What inflection is given to the members of a commencing series?_ The rising.

53. _What inflection is given to the members of a concluding series?_ The falling.

54. _Are there any exceptions to these rules?_ There are.

55. _What causes the exceptions?_ Emphasis.

56. _What is a Parenthesis in reading?_ A sentence, or clause, set off by curves from the context.

57. _How should the Parenthesis be read?_ In a lower tone and more rapidly.

58. _What is the use of the Circumflex?_ To express irony, or sarcasm.

59. _What meaning is always suggested by the Circumflex?_ Doubtful or double meaning.

60. _What is the use of the Monotones?_ To produce an effect in grave and solemn subjects.

61. _What is Accent in reading?_ Increase of force on certain syllables of a word.

62. _Give an example of Emphatic accent._ This corrup'tion must put on in'terruption.

63. _What does Pitch signify?_ The place in the musical scale on which an element is sounded.

64. _What is Force?_ That property of the voice which relates to loudness of sound.

65. _How many different kinds of Force?_ Five.

66. _What are they?_ Suppressed, subdued, ordinary, energetic, and vehement.

67. _To what does Stress relate?_ Different modes of applying force.

68. _How many kinds of Stress?_ Three.

69. _What are they?_ Expulsive, Explosive, and Vanishing.

70. _What is meant by Quantity?_ Length of time the voice dwells on a word.

71. _What is Quality?_ That property which relates to the kind of voice.

72. _What is Movement?_ The degree of rapidity with which the voice moves from one word to another.

73. _How many kinds of Movement?_ Six.

74. _What are they?_ Very slow, slow, moderate, lively, rapid, and very rapid.

75. _What does Expression comprehend?_ The practical application of all the principles of reading and elocution.

76. _What is Cadence?_ The natural dropping of the voice at the end of a sentence, denoting completeness of thought.

77. _What is a Rhetorical pause?_ A suspension of the voice for rhetorical effect.

78. _What is Emphasis?_ Giving force and energy to certain words.

79. _How many kinds of Emphasis?_ Two.

80. _What are they?_ Absolute and relative.

81. _What is Absolute emphasis?_ Emphasis made without any contrast with other words.

82. _What is Relative emphasis?_ Emphasis used where there is antithesis either expressed or implied.

83. _Is a whole Phrase ever made emphatic?_ It is often.

84. _For what purpose?_ To give it great force.

85. _What is the Emphatic pause?_ Pause made for emphasis.

86. _What is Antithesis?_ Two or more words opposed to each other in meaning.

87. _What is a Climax?_ A series of particulars increasing in importance to the last.

88. _What is Anti-climax?_ A series of particulars decreasing in importance to the last.

89. _What is meant by Transition?_ Any sudden change in reading.

90. _What is Emphatic repetition?_ Words repeated for emphasis.

91. _What is an Interrogation?_ A statement, or assertion, put in the form of a question.

92. _What is an Exclamation?_ A statement denoting strong emotions.

93. _What is Personation?_ One person imitating the actions and manners of some other person or persons.

94. _How many kinds of style in reading?_ Five.

95. _What are they?_ Description, Argument, Narration, Persuasion, Exhortation.

96. _What should be characteristic of the Descriptive style?_ The Speaker should use the same manner that he would if he were actually describing the thing spoken of.

97. _What should be characteristic of the Argumentative style?_ Directness and earnestness.

98. _What should characterize the Narrative?_ The Reader should proceed as though relating his own experience.

99. _What the Persuasive?_ Those tones, looks, and gestures which bring conviction to the hearer.

100. _What should characterize the Exhortative?_ The performer should appeal, beseech, and implore, as the case may require.

101. _What is the Slur?_ The smooth gliding of the voice in parenthetic clauses, etc.

102. _How are Emphatic words distinguished?_ By different styles of printing.

103. _How many kinds of letters are used to denote emphasis?_ Three usually.

104. _What are they?_ Italics, small capitals, and capitals.

105. _What is Antithetic emphasis?_ Same as Relative.

106. _What is Modulation?_ Variation of the voice in speaking and reading.

107. _What is Pure tone?_ A clear, flowing sound, with moderate pitch.

108. _What is the Orotund?_ Pure tone intensified.

109. _For what is it adapted?_ To express sublime and pathetic emotions.

110. _What is the Aspirated tone?_ An expulsion of breath, the words being spoken in a whisper.

111. _What is the Guttural quality?_ Deep undertone.

112. _What does it express?_ Hatred, contempt, loathing, etc.

113. _What is the Trembling tone?_ A constant waver of the voice.

114. _What does it express?_ An intense degree of suppressed excitement, or personates old age.

115. _What are Pauses?_ Suspensions of the voice in reading or speaking.

116. _How many kinds of pauses are there?_ Two.

117. _What are they?_ Grammatical and Rhetorical.

118. _What is Suspensive quantity?_ Prolongation of the voice at the end of a word without making an actual pause.

119. _What does Quantity embrace?_ Force and rate.

120. _What quality of voice is mostly used in speaking and reading?_ Pure tone.

121. _What is meant by Prose?_ All composition which is not written in verse.

122. _What are some of the varieties of Prose?_ Letters, Essays, Travels, History, and Discourses.

123. _What is a Letter as a variety of prose?_ A written communication addressed by the writer to some other person.

124. _What is an Essay?_ A written discourse on some special subject.

125. _What are Travels?_ Records of journeys.

126. _What is History?_ A record of past events.

127. _What is a Discourse?_ A performance read or spoken to an audience.

128. _Should the voice agree in style with the different varieties of prose?_ It should, and the performer should endeavor to produce the exact sentiments of the writer.

129. _What is Poetry?_ A discourse written in verse and metrical language.

130. _What is a Verse?_ A single line of metrical language.

131. _Is it correct to use the term verse in speaking of a division of prose?_ It is not.

132. _What should we call such division?_ Paragraph or Division.

133. _What is a Stanza?_ A number of metrical lines, or verses, combined according to a regular system.

134. _How many kinds of metrical language?_ Two.

135. _What are they?_ Rhyme and Blank Verse.

136. _What is Rhyme?_ That language in which the concluding syllables of the verses have a similarity of sound.

137. _How many kinds of Rhyme?_ Two.

138. _What are they?_ Perfect and imperfect.

139. _What is a Perfect rhyme?_ Where the vowels have the same sound.

140. _What is an Imperfect rhyme?_ Where the vowels have a different sound.

141. _What is Blank Verse?_ A kind of metrical language in which there is no similarity of sound.

142. _What is the Cæsura pause?_ A rhythmic pause occurring in a verse.

143. _How many rules should be observed in the use of the Cæsura?_ Three.

144. _Give Rule 1._ The pause should be near the middle of the verse.

145. _Give Rule 2._ It should never divide a word.

146. _Give Rule 3._ Should not separate words from their modifiers, as adjectives from nouns, adverbs from verbs, etc.

147. _Do all verses have the Cæsura pause?_ They do if over three feet in length.

148. _What is meant by a Foot in verse?_ A certain portion of a line divided according to accent.

149. _When melody comes in contact with accent, which should yield?_ Accent.

150. _Is there any other rhythmic pause than the Cæsura?_ There is; the demi-cæsura is sometimes used.

151. _How many kinds of Poetry are there?_ Seven.

152. _What are they?_ Epic, Dramatic, Lyric, Elegiac, Didactic, Satiric and Pastoral.

153. _What is an Epic poem?_ A poetical recital of some great and heroic enterprise.

154. _Are there many Epic poems?_ There are not; most nations have one.

155. _Name the three Epics of greatest note._ Homer's Iliad, Virgil's Æneid, and Milton's Paradise Lost.

156. _What language were these poems written in?_ The Iliad in Greek, Æneid in Latin, and Paradise Lost in English.

157. _What does the Iliad describe or narrate?_ The downfall of Troy, which was the most memorable event in the early history of the Trojans and Greeks.

158. _What does the Æneid narrate?_ The perils and labors of Æneas, who was the reputed founder of the Roman race.

159. _What does Paradise Lost describe?_ The downfall of not only the Human but of the Angelic host.

160. _What is a Dramatic poem?_ One similar in many respects to an Epic.

161. _Name some point of difference._ Epic relates past events; the Drama represents events as taking place at the present time.

162. _Name the greatest Dramatic writer of the English._ Shakespeare.

163. _What is a Drama called that is set to music?_ An opera.

164. _What is a Melodrama?_ A dramatic poem some parts of which are spoken and some are sung.

165. _What is Lyric Poetry?_ It is the oldest kind of poetry, and was originally intended to be sung to the accompaniment of the lyre.

166. _What are Sonnets?_ A kind of Lyric Poems.

167. _What is an Elegy?_ A poem of a mournful kind, usually celebrating the virtues of some person deceased.

168. _What is an Epitaph?_ A short Elegy inscribed on a monument, or written in praise of any one.

169. _What is a Pastoral poem?_ One that describes country life.

170. _What is a Didactic poem?_ One the aim of which is to give instruction.

171. _What is Meditative Poetry?_ A kind of Didactic poetry.

172. _Name two noted Didactic poems._ Bryant's "Thanatopsis," and Campbell's "Pleasures of Hope."

173. _What is a Satire?_ One that holds up the follies of men to ridicule.

174. _Is a Satire personal?_ It is not.

175. _What is a Lampoon?_ A poem that attacks individuals.

176. _What is Gesture?_ Expression given to language by movements of the body, limbs, etc.

177. _What kind of Gesture is most appropriate?_ That which is natural.

178. _What attitude should be used in reading and speaking?_ Standing.

179. _Which hand should hold the book?_ The left, if possible.

180. _Should a Reader keep his eyes on the book constantly?_ He should not; but cast the eyes away from the page as often as possible.

181. _Should a gesture be made while the eyes are looking on the book?_ It should not.

182. _In what kind of language are gestures inappropriate?_ Didactic or unimpassioned discourse.

183. _Should a Speaker begin to gesticulate as soon as he begins his discourse?_ Very seldom, before he has entered fully into the discourse.

184. _How many positions are recognized for the hand when not used in gesticulating?_ Three.

185. _What are they?_ Hanging naturally at the side; resting upon the hip with the elbow thrown backward; and resting on your bosom.

186. _What are Descriptive gestures?_ Those used in describing objects.

187. _What are Significant gestures?_ Those which have special signification.

188. _Name some Significant gestures of the head._ It drops in grief and shame, and nods in assent; shakes in dissent, and leans forward in attention.

189. _Name some Significant gestures of the eyes._ Raised in prayer, weep in sorrow, burn in anger, and are cast on vacancy in thought.

190. _Name some of the passions of the mind._ Love, anger, joy, sorrow, fear, and courage.

191. _What tone of voice should be used in the expression of Love?_ Soft, smooth, and languishing voice.

192. _What tone of voice should be used to express Anger?_ Strong, vehement, and elevated voice.

193. _Where is the best place to practice elocution and reading?_ In the open air, or in a well ventilated room.

194. _Should a Reader or Speaker pay strict attention to the rules of elocution?_ He should not, but study nature rather.

195. _What is the Soul of Oratory?_ Emotion.

196. _What is meant by the Compass of the voice?_ The range in which it can be properly controlled.

197. _How may the Compass of the voice be increased?_ By continued practice on a very low and very high key.

198. _Should a Reader or Speaker drink any liquid while exercising the voice?_ He should not, for it is injurious to the vocal chords.

199. _What effect does Tobacco have on the voice?_ It enfeebles the nervous system and breathing organs, and makes the voice dry, harsh, and ungovernable.

200. _What effect do Stimulants have on the voice?_ Irritate and inflame the vocal organs, which results in hoarseness and produces too high a key, which terminates in a squeaking tone.

201. _In faulty articulation what sounds are usually mispronounced?_ The vowel sounds of the unaccented syllables.

202. _What Consonants are often incorrectly dropped?_ The final consonants.

203. _How may distinct Articulation be acquired?_ By continued practice of the elementary sounds.

204. _What are the most prominent Elements of all words?_ The vowels.

205. _Which sounds should be practiced first?_ The vowels; as they are the most easily uttered.

206. _Can the sounds of the Consonants be given alone?_ They can by practice.

207. _What is the source of the greatest defect in Articulation?_ Improper sounding of the consonants.

208. _What kind of Inflection is generally given to words of great emphasis?_ The falling; unless the sentiment requires the rising.

209. _When is the Inflection of a question changed from the falling to the rising?_ When it is repeated or made emphatic.

210. _In the introductory part of a sentence, where the sense is incomplete, what inflection is used?_ Unless great emphasis is required, the rising should be used.

211. _The names of persons addressed in formal speech require what inflection?_ The falling should always be used in such cases.

212. _General statements require what inflection?_ The falling.

213. _For the sake of harmony, what principle should govern the reader?_ When a sentence ends with the falling inflection, the rising should precede it.

214. _When sentences commence with verbs, what inflection is required?_ Mostly the rising.

215. _What is meant by an Echo in reading?_ Interrogative exclamations, where the question is repeated.

216. _Give an example of Echo._ What's the trouble? What's the trouble? trouble enough.

217. _What inflection should be given to members of sentences connected disjunctively?_ First member, the rising; second member, the falling.

218. _When several Emphatic words or members come together, how should they be inflected?_ The most emphatic, the falling; and the others the rising.

219. _What is a Simple Series in reading?_ A series of particulars that is composed of single words.

220. _What is meant by a Compound Series?_ One that is composed of clauses is called compound.

221. _What determines Accent?_ The usage of our best speakers and writers of the present.

222. _To whom does it belong to determine and record such usage?_ The Lexicographers.

223. _Are there any cases in which we can trace the reason for the accent?_ There are; in discriminating accent where it is used to determine the parts of speech.

224. _Do we ever have two sets of Antitheses in the same sentence?_ We do; as each member may contain an antithesis.

225. _Give an example._ John was hurt; William escaped.

226. _How many sets of Antitheses may be used in one sentence?_ Often three; but seldom more.

227. _Should there be any difference in the tone of voice used in reading verse and prose?_ There should be a difference.

228. _What different style ought to be used?_ The monotone and rising inflection are more frequently used in verse than in prose.

229. _What is the greatest difficulty met with in reading or declaiming poetic selections?_ In giving it that measured flow which distinguishes it from prose, without falling into a continued monotone.

230. _What is a good method to break up this habit?_ Reduce the selection to prose, and deliver it in an earnest, conversational style.

231. _Why should there be a short pause at the end of each line of poetry, even where the sense does not require it?_ In order that the measure of the poem may be more perceptible to the ear.

232. _What is it that constitutes the melody of a poem?_ The pauses and accents chiefly.

233. _What rule should govern the reader in the use of pauses and accents?_ Use variety, and not make them too prominent.

234. _What tone of voice should be used in reading a Simile in poetry?_ The simile should be read in a lower tone than the rest of the passage.

235. _What, with regard to the voice, is an important object to every speaker and reader?_ The important object is to have a full, even tone of voice.

236. _What key of the voice should be most diligently improved?_ The natural key, or that which is used most.

237. _What is meant by the natural key or pitch?_ That which is peculiar to the individual, and in which he can use most easily to himself, and most agreeably to others.

238. _How can the natural tone of voice be strengthened?_ By reading and speaking as loud as possible, without suffering the voice to rise into a higher key.

239. _What is the best method of strengthening the natural key?_ By speaking and reading strong, animated passages in a small room.

240. _How may low tones be acquired?_ By continued practice in a lower key than the natural.

241. _How may a high key be acquired?_ In the same manner as a low key; by pitching the voice first a little higher than the natural, and mastering that thoroughly, then still higher and higher.

242. _What is meant by Rotundity of the voice?_ That peculiar form of tone which the Romans called "Ore rotundo," which signifies "Round mouth."

243. _In what kind of sentences is the Rotundity of the voice exemplified?_ In the hailing of vessels, and is used especially by sailors and officers.

244. _Which is the most difficult: to raise the voice to a higher pitch, or to bring it to a lower?_ The lowering of the voice is more difficult, and requires great care and practice.

245. _What is a common fault with most public speakers?_ To run the voice into too high a key, and thus weary the hearers.

246. _What is a good rule by which to govern the voice?_ To start on a key lower than the natural, and thus avoid running too high.

247. _What are the principal styles of different reading selections?_ Descriptive, Narrative, Senatorial, Moral, Didactic, Dramatic, and Amusing.

248. _What tone of voice should be used in reading a Descriptive selection?_ The ordinary, natural tone, with a careful use of emphasis.

249. _What tone of voice is best adapted to the reading of a Narration?_ The conversational tone, with as little reference to the printed page as possible.

250. _What style is the best adapted to Senatorial reading?_ An imitative style and tone, being careful in the use of the emphatic pause.

251. _What tone is best adapted to the reading of Moral and Religious selections?_ Low and moderate tone, expressing feeling and sentiment, being careful not to read too fast.

252. _What style is best adapted to Didactic reading?_ That peculiar style which is best adapted to impart instruction, laying special stress on the important idea.

253. _What style and tone are best adapted to the reading of Dramatic selections?_ A style and tone which are entirely imitative in character.

254. _What tone or character of voice is best suited to the rendering of Amusing selections?_ That which will bring out the mirthful sentiment, to the exclusion of all rules for accent, emphasis, etc.

255. _Should all persons use the same tones of voice and style in reading selections?_ They should not; as individuals are differently constituted, so they have different ways of expressing their ideas and sentiments.

MISCELLANEOUS EXERCISES.

SPELLING ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED.