Great texts to learn public speaking from?

[zarus tathra]

A book I have advises readers to read aloud from great texts to practice public speech. Apparently Lincoln and George Washington read aloud from the Bible, while the author reads aloud from Winston Churchill. What other writers do you suggest I read aloud from? I'm thinking General William T Sherman (I have his memoirs) or Bertrand Russell. Right now, I'm settling on Bertrand Russell.

[AllPurposeAtheist]

Believe it or not tongue twisters were once part of public school curriculum to teach such things. My mother could rattle off really tough tongue twisters...Theopolis Thistle Sifter, etc..

[AllPurposeAtheist]

Theophilus Thistle, the successful thistle sifter,
sifted a sieve of unsifted thistle.
If Theophilus Thistle, the successful thistle sifter,
sifted a sieve of unsifted thistles,
how many thistles did Theophilus Thistle sift?

Lather, rinse, repeat.  =D>

"

[zarus tathra]

I'm thinking more in terms of tone/vocabulary/syntactical variation, but thanks.

[The Skeletal Atheist]

Paradise Lost by John Milton.

Try this bit of dialogue from Satan:
Is this the Region, this the Soil, the Clime,
Said then the lost Arch-Angel, this the seat
That we must change for Heav'n, this mournful gloom
For that celestial light? Be it so, since he [ 245 ]
Who now is Sovran can dispose and bid
What shall be right: fardest from him is best
Whom reason hath equald, force hath made supream
Above his equals. Farewel happy Fields
Where Joy for ever dwells: Hail horrours, hail [ 250 ]
Infernal world, and thou profoundest Hell
Receive thy new Possessor: One who brings
A mind not to be chang'd by Place or Time.
The mind is its own place, and in it self
Can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n. [ 255 ]
What matter where, if I be still the same,
And what I should be, all but less then he
Whom Thunder hath made greater? Here at least
We shall be free; th' Almighty hath not built
Here for his envy, will not drive us hence: [ 260 ]
Here we may reign secure, and in my choyce
To reign is worth ambition though in Hell:
Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heav'n.
But wherefore let we then our faithful friends,
Th' associates and copartners of our loss [ 265 ]
Lye thus astonisht on th' oblivious Pool,
And call them not to share with us their part
In this unhappy Mansion, or once more
With rallied Arms to try what may be yet
Regaind in Heav'n, or what more lost in Hell? [ 270 ]

[Plu]

If you want to learn public speaking, shouldn't you be reciting texts in front of an audience, instead of just reading aloud?

[AllPurposeAtheist]

Public speaking isn't tough.  It's not much different from speaking anywhere else except hundreds of peering eyes and unwarranted criticism annoyingly judging you on your dress, hair, the crap between your teeth, the big festering zit, dick size, whether you're gay or straight, body odor, genetic luck of the draw.. You know..typical shit..  :-$

[aitm]

A book I have advises readers to read aloud from great texts to practice public speech. Apparently Lincoln and George Washington read aloud from the Bible, while the author reads aloud from Winston Churchill. What other writers do you suggest I read aloud from? I'm thinking General William T Sherman (I have his memoirs) or Bertrand Russell. Right now, I'm settling on Bertrand Russell.

While I don't disagree that practice makes it easier to speak publicly this would be due only to familiarity with the text, imo., after all, repeating someone else's words is rather comforting as in that the speakers own's thoughts and opinions are not the issue and not part of the critique. As a person who has often, and still does speak to larger groups, I find it becomes harder when trying to convey your own opinion as now they not only focus on the words but every aspect of "you" to see if you lend credence to your words.

By far, again in my opinion, is attitude. I think they "need and want" to hear me, this makes it easier in that what I am presenting is important and needs to be heard. Also if you have no experience in speaking publicly, try to learn how to use the diaphragm. This "projecting" of your voice adds greater tone and power to your words. Make them want to hear what you say by making them listen. When practicing push from your lower abdomen and your words will shoot out with force, also work to lower your pitch, this also helps in projecting. Have fun.

[mykcob4]

A book I have advises readers to read aloud from great texts to practice public speech. Apparently Lincoln and George Washington read aloud from the Bible, while the author reads aloud from Winston Churchill. What other writers do you suggest I read aloud from? I'm thinking General William T Sherman (I have his memoirs) or Bertrand Russell. Right now, I'm settling on Bertrand Russell.

The two greatest public speakers in history were Adolph Hitler (who learned his technique from a stage magician) and Zig Ziegler(self taught).
basically public speaking is salesmanship. Introduce your product, describe your product, create a need for your product and close the deal.