부산대학교 도서관

This article describes U.S. statesman Benjamin Franklin's advice to speakers which were scattered through his journals, letters and manuscripts, revealing a keen perception of the principles involved in conversation. His first actual advice pertains to the art of disputation. Franklin early developed a scientific, methodical approach to self- improvement. Though prematurely aware of his facility to write skillfully, he was similarly alert to his inadequacy as a speaker. In 1722, at the age of sixteen, he studied and adopted the Socratic method of dispute, which he found in Xenophon's Memorable Things of Socrates. In the fall of 1727, Franklin incorporated this reasonable method into the charter of the Junto, a club he formed for the purpose of mutual improvement. The attitude of modest diffidence proved itself again in Franklin's scheme to reach perfection. In order to achieve humility he disciplined himself strictly to the old laws of Junto; forbidding himself the use of every word or expression that imported a fixed opinion. The general philosophy of moderation and judgment in argumentation is characteristic of Franklin's reasoning in all phases of human activity. Another aspect of speaking, which he earnestly observed and analyzed, was the art of common conversation; choice of topics, manner of speech, kind of language, and purposes of discussion. In addition to topic, style, and attitude, Franklin stressed language itself as a key factor in successful communication. Franklin carefully chose words that were easily understood by the average reader, so his writings were never obscure.