and louder-until I was speaking at (and above) natural
volume.
In easy steps, I talked to myself in the mirror,
then to individuals, small groups, civic meetings, large
audiences, from church pulpits and even from the same
speakers' platform with a U. S. cabinet member and,
finally, broadcast to the world on the "Voice of America"
Radio Program.
So, you can learn to talk fluently (and with
much less difficulty than I did) just by talking. Talk to
anybody, everybody, nearby, about something. Don't
make a speech-just a comment. Make your comment
casually, easily, with good humor and friendliness.
An unsolicited comment has its own built-in
terminal facility. If you do not ask for a reply, you may
not get one. So if you want to extend a conversation, ask
a question. The first step in opening a conversation with
a stranger (or in launching a new subject of conversation
with anyone) is to frankly admit that you don't know
something. Then say that you want or need to know about
it and ask the person you are questioning if he or she can
furnish you the information. A noted conversationalist said
that, properly asked, there was almost no limit to the time
and trouble another would take to further your education.
Since the way to improve your ability to talk
fluently, is to engage in conversations with as many differ-
ent individuals and groups as possible, learn the art of
asking. It is more accurate, instead of saying, "TALK
your way to success", that we say, "ASK your way to
success". Here's how you can do it: