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[Jeannie]

Does anyone have ideas for resources for teaching the "other" canons of Memorization and Presentation in the Rhetorical Stage?  I'm enjoying teaching LTOW to my rhetoric class but I'm feeling woefully under-prepared for teaching memorization and presentation.  I enjoyed the e-mail on Quintilian's Guide to Gesturing that one of the Journeymen sent along; does anyone have perhaps an internet site with similar resources?

Thanks!

Jeannie Mills

[Lauralee]

Regarding Presentation -- Alexander Technique can be useful to help students develop a relaxed and confident presence when speaking. Many singers and actors use it, and I have used the basics of Alexander with a Public Speaking course I taught years ago.

By using physical preparations and exercises, the student learns to stand with proper spine and head alignment. This also allows for better breath support to aid in increasing volume, promoting proper diction, and relaxing their muscles. This helped them much more than simply telling them to stand straight, speak clearly, and relax. I'm not sure where to find on-line guides, but Liz Hodgkinson gives a great overview in "The Alexander Technique and how it can help you." She focuses more on the medical benefits, but there are very practical applications of the techniques for improving presence.

I hope this helps -- and I hope others submit tips as well!