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Show SIXTH AIM: THE IMPORTANT IDEA 95 lack of force. Emphasis is the special distinction given to ideas To bring out and to distinguish the idea we need all the elements of vocalization, viz., time, pitch, quality, force-some times one, sometimes another, sometimes two or three, and some(not words). times all of them in combination. Over Emphasis. Let us aim to read so that the individual given their relative importance and thus be easily understood by our listeners. Ayres says, "He that reads well trips Over emphasis is lightly over a large majority of the words. something the reader should be careful to avoid, as it may easily be carried so far as to bar the effect of the emphases that are prop erly placed." lOver emphasis is always the mark of earnest pupils who are not trained to handle easily the line, and their reading "Is of the stilted, ponderous sort that tries to get an effect out of Where everything is emphatic, nothing is emphatic. every word." Paraphrase. When it is hard to decide definitely which is the most important idea, it is good practice for both teacher and pupil to put the language of the printed page-particularly if it be classic verse-into their own colloquial language. Paraphrase it several different ways with natural, spontaneous, impulsive speech, and then transfer the way of saying the idea, to the language of the author. Repeat first your own language, then that of the author, until the latter comes as easily as if it were your own. Such drill will soon make you able to read with nice discrimination, as you think, and with true naturalness, not with mechanical expression ideas will be • .. 1 which will come f.rom drill exercises. Use every selection as an exercise and it will never be necessary to practice .formulated exer cises which may tie to the habit of good reading. Select idea, and you will get your practice when and where needed; at the same time you will see the importance of this step, for without its training you cannot handle the .printed page. Wrong Paraphrase. It is of course imperative that the para phrase be a correct one. Such excellent authorities as Fulton and Trueblood use a wrong paraphrase, and Mr. Clark reprints their never literature which demands attention upon the central mistake. 1 Essentials of Elocution. I |
