Episode 268: Recitation Tactics

In this episode we return to the topic of Recitation, a distinctive feature of Charlotte Mason’s Method. We are focusing on practical ways to help your student develop their skills in Recitation, through both the “Mechanical” and the “Sentimental” Branches.

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“It will now be seen that I spoke nothing but the truth when I said that reading was an art which had its fixed laws. We have found laws for the emission of the voice, for respiration, for pronunciation, for articulation, and for punctuation ; that is to say, laws for all the material side, the technical part of the art of reading. Let us now pass on to its intellectual aspects.” (Ernest Legouvé. A Short Treatise on Reading Aloud. PR 17, p 436)

Hay said, “the first of these two branches … can in all cases be taught, and the second beyond hints and suggestions for guidance must be left to the taste and judgment of the speaker.” (p. 33-34)

What Charlotte Mason called “the fine art of beautiful and perfect speaking.” (1/223)

“It will now be seen that I spoke nothing but the truth when I said that reading was an art which had its fixed laws. We have found laws for the emission of the voice, for respiration, for pronunciation, for articulation, and for punctuation ; that is to say, laws for all the material side, the technical part of the art of reading. Let us now pass on to its intellectual aspects.” (Ernest Legouvé. A Short Treatise on Reading Aloud. PR 17, p 436)

Hay said, “the first of these two branches … can in all cases be taught, and the second beyond hints and suggestions for guidance must be left to the taste and judgment of the speaker.” (p. 33-34)

The Speaking Voice: Its Development and Preservation, Volume 1, Emil Behnke

The Speaking Voice: Its Development and Preservation, Volume 2, Emil Behnke

The Art of Reading and Speaking, Canon Fleming

How You Talk, Paul Showers

Awaken: Living Books Conferences

Episode 69: Recitation

Episode 179: Recitation Immersion

Nicole’s Recitation Handout

Episode 266: The Unity of the CM Method

Arthur Burrell’s Recitation: The Children’s Art

Mrs Tongue Does Her Housework

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