“Lincoln wrote for the ear. Most politicians and academics write for the eye. Lincoln often spoke or whispered out loud before putting his Faber pencil to paper. He was fascinated by the sound of words. . . . even his written communications…
“Lincoln’s pattern was to speak or read his addresses slowly. The average person speaks at about 150 or 160 words per minute. Lincoln spoke 105 to 110 words per minute. His lower speed was an aid to hearers, especially in an outdoor environment without the aid of the technology of loudspeakers.”
Do those few words and thoughts excite you to learn more about Lincoln’s eloquent manner of speaking and writing? Then, I would recommend THE ELOQUENT PRESIDENT, A Portrait of Lincoln Through His Words, by Ronald C. White, Jr. {New York: Random House, 2005).
Do you need further encouragement to read this book? How about these questions posed by the author: How did Lincoln, a person with so little formal education become our most eloquent president? Why did he often stumble when attempting to speak extemporaneously? What were his habits and methods of writing speeches? How did Lincoln develop his rhetorical skills? To find the answers to these questions, among others, you’ll have to read the book.
