Proceedings

Cover

Contents

The Field Of Education In The National Parks

The Educational Program And Its Place In National Parks Administration

Museums In The National Parks

Planning A Park Museum

Museum Technique

Administration Of Park Museums

Nature Trails

Exhibits In Place

Guiding In The National Parks

Lectures In National Parks

Scientific Aspects Of The Park Protection Program

The Research Program In The National Parks

Use Of Recorded Scientific Data

Research Reserves

Publications

Libraries In The National Parks

Photography And Visual Education

General Administrative Problems

Proceedings Of The First Park Naturalists' Training Conference Held At Educational Headquarters, Berkeley, California: November 1-30, 1929

LECTURES IN NATIONAL PARKS

SOME PRINCIPLES OF LECTURING IN NATIONAL PARK

By Dr. George C. Ruhle

This outline sets forth briefly some of the basic principles and characteristics of successful lectures by members of the Educational Division in various National Parks. It has been based on analyses of many lectures, and their reception by the public, rather than by digest of current opinion of experts as expressed in various texts on Public Address.

Purpose of Educational Lecture:

Any person bringing a message to an audience should have a definite purpose in doing so. If he himself understands clearly what that purpose is, he should be able to state it in words. No man should appear on any speaking platform unless he has a definite message. The most general purpose of educational lectures in national parks is to impart enlightenment as to facts and interest in the subject material; this should be the beacon guide which every park lecturer should follow. Every lecturer should have something to say - not just "have to say something." No lecture should be attempted unless it possesses a genuine value.

Points of a Lecture:

The lecturer must furnish ideas which should be of general interest, bright, and alive. lie must express these in effective words, possessing a logical, naturally unfolding arrangement which is forceful, climacteric. The style of delivery must be pleasing or the whole structure collapses.

No person can lecture on a subject satisfactorily unless he possesses a well-rounded special knowledge of his subject. This must be of such a nature that it is of itself of general interest to a mixed audience or, through the effectiveness of the lecturer, can quickly arouse the interest of such audience.

A public address should be rhetorically and eloquently beautiful. Literary excellence is of such power that it can impart even immortality to words spoken. A popular lecturer should be pleasing not only to the intellect but to the ear. Intelligent people use reasonably pure English, and if that of the speaker's falls below that general level, he merely disgusts. He may be tolerated if speaking on the general level, but in order to inspire, his speech must sparkle; must rise in superior excellence. This statement must not convey the idea of advocacy of use of lengthy or technical words for such practice will only tire, or publish the asininity or affectation of the speaker. Intellectural snobbery (talking down), born of a feeling of superiority (superiority complex) and an endeavor to shine in eyes of the audience is absolutely taboo.

The arrangement of a lecture should be logical, scientific. A speaker is essentially a guide showing the way through a labyrinth of thoughts, ideas, and facts. Many of our lectures are extremely limited in time, and come on such occasions where it is necessary to awaken the enthusiasm of the hearers. A smashing, tingling first sentence often accomplishes this -- sometimes this must tie together the events or atmosphere preceding the lecture with what the lecturer has to say. It is well to summarize what one has said in a lecture at the close. The last sentence ought to leave the audience in an elevated state of mind -- must be sufficiently sweeping to leave the hearers exuberant, exhilarated, and effervescent.

Delivery is as important as the message itself, for it is the medium which conveys the message to the audience. Enunciation, voice, gesture, appearance -- all must be given due consideration. If the audience labors to catch words, all effect is lost. The voice must have proper volume, pitch, cadence, tempered with burning earnestness. No meaningless gesture should be permitted to creep in lest it mar the performance. A speaker should appear natural and relaxed, except where tension is needed. The eye is quicker than the ear, the presence of the speaker should set the audience at ease so it is not swept away in sympathy for his timidity or weakness of endeavor, but is unafraid to follow his guidance everywhere. The beginnings of communication lie in a command of the whole body; alertness of body is an exterior expression of mental alertness. The whole general attitude of the speaker is revealed in delivery. Quality, force, time, and pitch are the elements of delivery. In general, a public speaker must use a slow rate of speech to be clearly comprehended.

How can one acquire effectiveness of speech?

Mostly by labor, the fountain head, the mother of oratory. We cannot all be great lecturers, men that speak "pure fire", but we can all be good lecturers, the constant endeavor to improve one's ability is necessary. Analysis of successful lectures is always helpful. Why is a certain lecture pleasing, excellent, inspiring? Daily reading, especially oral, is broadening as well as essential to better lecturing. Listening to the sound of one's voice by oral reading leads to more distinct and effective pronunciation. If lecture material is solely derived from science the lecture will lack gloss and excellence, so familiarity with poetry, drama, history, and the fine arts is invaluable. Thorough preparation of a speech is necessary for a speaker at best cannot rise above his own accomplishments; it is an insult to the intelligence of an audience to appear before it without thorough preparation. Too much cannot be said for written preparation of a speech, as it steeps the speaker with accurate familiarity with what he has to say. There is less danger of omission of something important, while the superfluous is carefully pruned away. Things that require further investigation are revealed, and a clearer, more complete conception is imparted. It adds confidence and aggressiveness, makes for clearer presentation in more eloquent language. Should a written speech be learned or read? -- Emphatically, no!

The characteristics of a good speech are clearness - brevity - smoothness - rhythm. The speaker should impart ample knowledge with conclusive facts in a style of great fervor - making every effort towards exquisite arrangement, elegance 0f language, and high finish. The success of his endeavor is tested by its effect on his audience. The lecturer is more than a sign post - he must furnish atmosphere, background, decoration, and must stimulate and keep alive a desire to hear more of what he has to say.

Reference:

C. H. Woolbert -- Fundamentals of Public Speaking.

Following Dr. Ruhle's paper, Mr. Gerald Marsh, formerly head ranger naturalist at Yellowstone, and now instructor in public speaking at the University of California, spoke informally on the principles of lecturing. Mr. Marsh took active part in the round table discussion following this and the other papers presented during the day's session.

A few memoranda on points brought out during discussions:

The lecturer must have a very comprehensive background of knowledge; certainly we should not have on our staff any ranger naturalists who can be "drained" in a ten-minute talk. Any ranger naturalist should be able to preside at group discussions after his lecture and should be competent to answer most questions asked. No matter how well a man has learned his lecture, he cannot successfully fool the audience if he has not the scientific knowledge with which to support his lecture. The man who is well equipped with scientific knowledge does not have to exert himself to "put over" the subject, because he has a good fund from which to draw even if it becomes necessary at times to speak extemporaneously.

Spencer, in "The Philosophy of Style", says that paying attention is fatiguing to the audience. The lecturer should always endeavor to make it easy for the audience to listen and comprehend. The subject matter must be made easy for the audience to grasp, and the method of presentation is extremely important.

Before attempting lectures, a ranger naturalist should be given the opportunity of becoming well acquainted with the park, particularly in the fields in which he is to lecture. To have a well rounded background for his talks the man should be given an opportunity of participating in the activities of the park and should also have adequate time to study.

It is important that each lecture should be formulated with a view to the effect or response that is desired upon the audience.

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