WORDS WITHOUT MUSIC

Wanting neither intellectual brilliance nor a thorough grasp of their subject, many lecturers at Harvard fail completely either to inspire their audience or even to arouse their interest. Handicapped by faulty organization of material or awkwardness and ineptitude in speaking, these men, though potentially fine lecturers, give far less than they ought as a result of superficial and presumably remediable deficiencies.

While it may sound ridiculous to suggest that college professors should take a course in public speaking, this appears to be the obvious solution. Could they bring themselves to undergo such training, they would almost certainly enjoy their lecturing more, and their effectiveness as teachers would be measurably enhanced.

To have the students select those needing such a course would be impolitic and impractical. Instead Professor Packard might himself attend lectures, and choose the delinquents; his censure would have the force of authority and should agitate the offenders into some effort to mend their faults.

This problem cries for attention. Education at Harvard loses an astounding and lamentable percentage of effectiveness through an omission which, unlike most difficulties in education, permits of an obvious cure. Responsibility for correction rests squarely with the faculty.