McGuffey's Sixth Eclectic Reader, Revised Edition · Lesson Elocution · Part 1: Principles of Elocution
6. Principles of Elocution: Gesture optional
Goal: Your student can stand well to speak and knows the book's directions for posture and natural movement.
You'll need
- The book, or the scan beside this guide
- A notebook and pen
- A mirror is handy, and a phone to record your student reading (optional)
What's in the book
The section on Gesture: the speaker's attitude, how the body is held and how the limbs move, with general directions for standing and moving and further rules and examples.
The lesson, step by step
Read the definition
Read together:
Gesture is that part of the speaker's manner which pertains to his attitude
The book notes that beginners often feel awkward and do not know what to do with their hands, and that this passes when the speaker thinks wholly about the subject.
Stand well
The first direction: the speaker
should stand erect and firm
with an open chest for breathing. Have your student stand this way and read a short passage.
Weight on one leg
The second direction: the body's weight rests on one leg, the other free to step forward or back. The book warns against resting a foot on a stool or leaning on the desk. Practice shifting easily while reading.
Movement
Read the rest of the section on movements of the arms and hands. Choose one passage from the book with strong feeling and let your student try one or two simple, natural gestures.
Talk about it
SayWhy does the book say the awkwardness passes when you think only of the subject?
SayWhich is worse, too many gestures or none at all? Why?
SayWatch someone speak well this week. What do they do with their hands?
Recite
If your student has learned a passage by heart in an earlier lesson, let them recite it standing, using today's directions.