Our public speaking teacher gave us exercises to do and we felt so silly shaking our hands and doing deep breathing exercises that we began to relax with each other. She then asked us to read short sentences until we got used to the sound of our own voices. One week she asked us all to bring in our favourite book and read from it. You would be very surprised at the choices people made. Mary, for instance, loved a blood and guts thriller while our genius went in for what most men would consider as rather soppy poetry. Little by little we were beginning to understand each other and become friends rather than classmates.

Soon the teacher had us speaking about subjects she chose for us. Being a writer I thought I would have no problem at all in writing my speeches. I soon discovered, however, that reading to be said and read are two completely different things. People who are reading can take in more or look back over something you write. When you are speaking your audience has to understand immediately. It is, if you like, a more immediate type of writing.

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