VITAL SLIDE.
As the mind of the pupil separates each thought from the other main
thoughts of the discourse, and holds it before the minds of his hearers,
he finds it more and more attractive. His endeavor to interest others
deepens his own interest, and the slides in his voice report this
increased concentration, in increased vitality. The pupil seeing the
spirit and life of the whole in each _vital part_, or part vital to the
life of the unit, desires to make each part live as a whole in the minds
of the listeners. He no longer touches it with uncertain stroke; the
slide has become a Vital Slide.
Analysis. Example: "The Rising of 1776." (Page 35.)
_Unit, or Whole_: A pastor of early Revolutionary times who makes his
Sunday sermon an appeal for freedom.
_Parts_:
(_a_) The spirit of the times. Stanza 1.
(_b_) The church and the people. Stanzas 2 and 3.
(_c_) The pastor and his appeal. Stanzas 4, 5, 6 and part of 9.
(_d_) The effect of the appeal. Stanzas 7, 8 and 9.
Let the student's earnest endeavor be to interest his audience in these
essential parts. The words which especially reveal these vital parts of
the selection will be given with no uncertain stroke. If the interest of
both speaker and listener is fully aroused, the slide has become a vital
one. Remember always that the desired effect in the voice results from
the mental concept; it is not developed mechanically, but grows out of
thought.