Subject: More quotable paragraph breaks for NASB? |
Bible Note: EdB, I've luckily been able to orate from the NASB quite well, but I particularly employ some techniques to be successful at this. When I read publicly from the NASB, I get a great number of positive comments from people in the church, as to my clarity and impact. Little do they know that I have a few secrets to oration, however. And though some of these points may seem a bit subtle, there's actually more to them than one may initially suspect. - 1. Double column bibles are superior to single column bibles for purposes of public oration. This is because the narrower double columns work the eye muscles less, thereby enhancing the reader's interpretive brain concentration by about 10 percent. Wider single columns, however, cause the eye muscles to move twice as hard, insofar as the eyes are constantly moving from left to right, instead of simply gliding down the page. It's good if the entire line is in eyeshot all at once. This is also important for private readers, and narrow double columns are specifically designed for ease of reading. Students don't lose their spots as readily and can read for longer time periods, while simultaneously being more focused on the actual content of the text, versus being focused on how tired their eyes are. This leads to a more intensified and thorough biblical interpretation for the reader. 2. When publicly orating (assuming we are now reading from double column bibles), verses should mentally be broken down into logical parts. In other words, I may not be able to say a whole long sentence in a single breath, so I'll break the verse down into a few logical parts as I read. I will read each part quickly (rather than slowly), albeit with long pauses between each part. This method is superior than reading long portions of scripture very slowly to a group, in the absence of pauses. The audience listens to the information as you are reading, but they process the meaning of each phrase during each of your pauses, thereby increasing their memory retention. 3. Variation in the enunciation also helps if done properly. For example, many preachers who speak in monotone voices will often put people to sleep. They shall often be accused of lacking passion in their preaching as a result. However, oraters and speakers who vary their enunciation will typically be deemed by common crowds as being passionate about what they preach, as if they believed their own message moreso. Perhaps think of it this way. If I spend my whole time whispering, you will soon grow deaf to what I say. Until, of course, I loudly shout a statement amidst my whisperings, that all of a sudden catches your attention. However, the reverse is also true. If I scream and shout my entire sermon and/or oration (as some preachers do), you will soon become deaf to my screaming and yelling. But if I suddenly insert a whisper into my incessant yelling, your ears will therefore attune themselves to my brief whisper, and it will be the only thing that you remember from my sermon/oration. Variance is the key. However, monotone language puts people to sleep. ---- How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!" However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. (Romans 10:14-17 NAS95) - Reighnskye |