Hoosier Grove Museum

1 of 1

Evening events at church or school provided entertainment for the whole community in the days before television and movie theaters. Public speaking skills were highly valued and students were taught how to be effective speakers. The following lesson is adapted from The Twentieth Century Speaker, published in 1900. The book contains recitations and readings for school and church programs. It also contains chapters addressing skills for effective orators. In the chapter titled Physical Culture, author Emma Griffith Lumm, has this to say, "In private life the ability to think and truly express thought and feelings is the greatest charm of a man or woman; in a public career, such ability is the open door to success."

The next chapter features exercises for students to practice. It has photos of a young orator named Cora Holms Mogg. Cora is depicted practicing pantomime.

Oration Lesson