47. THE INSURRECTION OF WAT TYLER 54. THE DISCIPLINE OF DIFFICULTIES 60. THE FATAL VOYAGE OF FRANKLIN 62. DESCRIPTION OF A SNOW-STORM. INTRODUCTION. ELOCUTION. PRINCIPLES, RULES, EXERCISES. ELOCUTION is the delivery, or expression, of thought by means of speech. Good Elocution requires distinct articulation, correct pronunciation, and proper inflections, emphasis, pauses, and tones. [The principles of articulation and pronunciation, with the rules and exercises requisite to apply them, having been copiously treated in the preceding numbers of this series, are only briefly mentioned in the present volume.] INFLECTION. INFLECTIONS are turns or slides of the voice, used in reading or speaking; as, Will you remain or depart? The Rising Inflection is an upward turn or slide of the voice, used when the voice ends higher than it begins; as, Are you going home'? The Falling Inflection is a downward turn or slide of the voice, used when the voice ends lower than it begins; as, When are you going? The rising inflection is denoted by the acute accent, thus ( ́); and the falling inflection, by the grave accent, thus (). The Circumflex indicates the union of the rising and falling inflections on the same word. When the Circumflex begins with the rising and ends with the falling inflection, it is denoted thus (); and when it begins with the falling and ends with the rising inflection, it is denoted thus (); as, Can the dove live with the hawk ? RULES FOR INFLECTION. The Falling Inflection is required, 1. When the sense is completed, as at a semicolon or period. 2. In asking an indirect question, or one that can not be answered by yes or no; as, Whom did you see' ? 3. In expressing a command, or in an exclamation. The Rising Inflection is required, 1. In asking a direct question, or one that can be answered by yes or no; as, Did you see him' ? 2. In addressing or calling. But in repeating a call, the falling inflection may be used; as, John'! John'! 3. The Circumflex Inflection is used in expressing ridicule, scorn, or surprise. EXERCISES. [Give the inflection as marked, and state the rule that applies to each case.] 1. Blessed are the pure in heart'; for they shall see God'. 2. Virtue exalts a nation'; but sin is a reproach to any people'. 3. Where are you going? When will you return' ? 4. Go to the ant', thou sluggard'; consider her ways, and be wise'. 5. Ring the bells'! Fire the cannon'! Hurrah! Hurrah! 6. John'! John'! Will you bring in some wood'? 7. What! sell honor to purchase remorse? 8. Do you think your hands were made to strike'? No'. To push' No'. To scratch'? No'. To pinch'? No'. To fight'? No'. To take things that do not belong to you'? By no means'. Dare they do it'? 9. Will they do it'? Who is speaking'? What's the news'? |