The term oral reading covers a wide area. It extends from the most t~cactical

purpose ( a secretary reading a club report) to professional entertainment"

(John Gielgud interpreting a Shakespearean soliloquy for the a~sthetic

pleasure of an audience). Good oral-reading techniques are of con reegLn/to

the layman taking part in the ordinary social, professional, and cultural

activities of contemporary life as well as to the person more actively en-

gaged in public speaking, acting, or interpretative reading. Alike, they are

interested in acquiring the ability to

material to enlighten, to influence, or

convey effectively previously worded

to entertain their listeners. The tech-

niques involved in reading a club report and interpreting a Shakespearean

soliloquy do overlap, but, obviously, the latter makes greater demands on

the reader.

Our particular concern is the oral reader who interprets literature for

the pleasure of an audience. Anyone who can accomplish this successfully

will have no difficulty reading aloud when his purpose is less demanding.