No matter how inexperienced a speaker may be or how stammering his
utterance, if he can tell a good story, the average dinner party will
pronounce him a success, and he will be able to resume his seat with a
feeling of satisfaction. The efforts often made to bring in an entertaining
story or a lively anecdote are sometimes quite amusing, but if they come
in naturally the effect will unquestionably be happy. Almost any story, by
using a little skill, can be adapted to nearly every occasion that may
arise. We may mention a few among which a speaker can scarcely fail to find
something to serve his purpose.
It is necessary always to be thoroughly familiar with the story and to
understand its exact point. No matter how deliberately or with what
difficulty you approach that part of your speech where the fun is to
be introduced--yet, when that point _is_ reached there must be no
hesitation. It is well to memorize carefully the very words which express
the pun, or the flash of wit or humor which is the climax of the story. The
story itself may be found in such a manual as this, or in some volume of
wit and humor.
There is no disadvantage in using wit gathered from any source, if it has
not been so often used as to be completely worn out. When a good story is
found anywhere and fully memorized and all its bearings and fine points
thoroughly understood, there are two ways of getting it before an audience.
The direct way is to say frankly that you have read a story and will tell
it. This will answer very nicely when called upon for a speech. Few festive
audiences are unwilling to accept a story for a speech, and a proposal to
compromise on such terms is very likely in itself to bring applause. But
the story in this case should be longer than if it is given as part of a
speech. If, however, it should prove a failure, your performance will make
a worse impression than when a poor story is introduced into a speech,
although the story may only feebly illustrate any portion of it.
For these as well as other reasons most persons will prefer to make an
address, even if it be very brief, and will endeavor to make the story fit
into it. All stories that suggest diffidence, modesty, backwardness, or
unwillingness to undertake great things, can be introduced to show how
reluctant the speaker is to attempt a speech, and if these characteristics
are only slightly referred to in the story it may still be used effectively
and will leave a favorable impression.
If a topic, a toast, or a sentiment is given for a response, any of them
may suggest a story; and after a good story has been told--one that has
real point--it will be better to stop without making any attempt at
application or explanation.
A great help is often found in the utterances of previous speakers. If
these have done well, they may be complimented, and the compliment so
contrived as to lead directly up to the story that is lying in wait; or
something being said with which you heartily agree--however slight a
portion of the address it may be--this harmony of views can be used in the
same manner. On the other hand, if you disagree with any of the speakers,
the mere reference to it will excite a lively interest. If this difference
is used, not as the basis of a serious argument, but only to drag in a
story illustrating the disagreement, the story will nevertheless appear to
be very appropriate.
If you happen to be the first speaker, you are by no means without
resources. You can then imagine what other speakers are going to say, and
if you can slip in a humorous or good-natured hit at the expense of some of
the prominent speakers, it will be, highly relished. If you describe what
they are likely to say it will be enjoyed, while if you should happen to
mention the very opposite this will be set down as your intention. You may
even describe the different speakers, and be reminded of things that will
bring in the prepared story very appropriately.
The writer once knew of a very dull speaker, who scored a great success in
a popular meeting, by describing the eloquent speaker who was to follow.
He began by telling how he was accustomed when a boy to take a skiff and
follow in the wake of a steamer, to be rocked in its waves, but once
getting before the huge vessel his boat was swept away, and he was nearly
drowned. This unfortunately was his situation now, and he was in danger of
being swept aside by the coming flood of eloquence. But he asked who is
this coming man? It was the first time he had heard of him--then followed
the story he had been trying to work in--a story wherein the eloquent man
was described as "one who could give seventeen good reasons for anything
under heaven." The story was a great success. In dumb show, the speaker he
referred to begged for mercy. This only delighted the audience still more,
and when the dull speaker finished it was admitted that, for once, he had
escaped being stupid or commonplace. He had also forced upon the next
speaker the necessity of removing the unpleasant effects of the jokes made
at his expense, a task that required all his cleverness.
The manner of introduction by the chairman, his name or general position,
the appearance of any one of the guests, the lateness or earliness of
the hour, events of the day that attract interest, the nature of the
entertainment or assemblage--all of these will offer good hooks by which
to draw in the story. But let the story be good and thoroughly mastered.
Of course the work of adaptation will be much easier if you have several
stories in reserve. A story must not be repeated so often that it becomes
known as belonging to you, for then a preceding speaker might get a laugh
on you by telling it as yours, leaving you bankrupt.
Jones and Smith once rode several miles in a carriage, together, to a town
where both were to make addresses. Jones was quite an orator; Smith had
a very retentive memory. Jones asked Smith about his speech, but Smith
professed not to have fully decided upon his topic, and in turn asked Jones
the same question. Jones gave a full outline of his speech, Smith getting
him to elaborate it by judicious inquiries as to how he would apply one
point and illustrate another. The ride thus passed pleasantly for both
parties. Smith was called upon to speak first, and gave with telling effect
what he had gathered from Jones, to the delight of everybody, but poor
Jones, who listened in utter consternation, and had not strength enough
left even to reclaim his stolen property.
If your speech is to be a story it is especially advisable to have
a reserve on hand, for stories are easily copied and apt to be long
remembered. Care also must be taken that the story is not one with which
persons generally are familiar. A gentleman was in the habit of telling a
story which has already been quoted, the point of which lies in the phrase
"I'm from Boston." Some of his more intimate companions, in self-defense,
would exclaim when he proposed a story, "Is it a mile from Boston?"
The definition of the toast itself or of any of the words in the sentiment
which is the speaker's topic may be made the occasion for drawing in the
illustrative story.
The manner of ending a good story is also worthy of careful study. When an
audience is applauding a palpable "hit," it does not seem an appropriate
time to stop and take one's seat; but it often is the best course. To do
this appears so abrupt that the novice is apt to make a further effort
to finish up the subject till he has finished up his audience as well.
An attempt to fully discuss a topic, under such circumstances, is not
successful once in a hundred times. The best course is to follow an apt
story by some proverb, a popular reference, or a witty turn, and then to
close. But no abruptness will be disliked by your hearers half so much,
as the utterance of a string of commonplaces, after you have once secured
their attention. The richness of the dessert should come at the close, not
at the beginning, of the oratorical feast.