Theocratic Aid To Kingdom Publishers

Lesson 36

CONSTRUCTION OF A TALK

The student, having gathered his material and arranged this in logical sequence, is now ready to construct his talk. The construction of a talk may well be likened or compared to the construction of a building. As buildings are not of the same structure but assume various forms of architecture, so it is with talks; they may be constructed in various ways. When a contractor intends to build something, he knows first of all the size of his structure. He gathers the materials needed for the construction and follows a well-thought-out plan or blueprint while setting

up the building. So with one's talk. He is given an assignment, he knows how long he is going to speak, he gathers the materials needed for the construction, and then he follows a well-thought-out plan or outline in the construction of the talk.

As one writes or speaks he will follow one or more methods of construction. There are four basic forms. They are narration, description, exposition and argumentation.

NARRATION. This is the method so frequently used in the Bible itself. In narration the speaker merely relates what has happened, generally in the order in which it occurred. Much of the material contained in the books "The Truth Shall Make You Free" and "The Kingdom Is at Hand" follows the narrative style. Through this narration runs a particular thread or theme binding the narrated incidents into a related whole. In the case of the first book the theme of freedom predominates, whereas in the second the Kingdom theme is ever present. These publications, however, do not limit themselves to mere narration. They employ all three of the other forms of construction. Talks composed of narration alone may be interesting, but without description they would lack color and vividness. Without exposition they might lack intellectual appeal. Without argument they would be void of convincingness and persuasive power. Narration alone is not sufficient for the Theocratic minister.

DESCRIPTION. This form of construction paints for the mind's eye of the reader or hearer a word picture of a scene that enables him to visualize clearly a place, object or action. Note the word picture given of the awakening of the little town of Bethlehem ("Boaz," Dec. 15, 1944, Watchtower):

"Dawn was breaking over Bethlehem. The little town began to stir. In the dim light of the new day a few townsmen could be faintly distinguished as they hurried about some early morning chore. Here, for instance, comes a beautiful

Moabitess. With joy in her eyes and a spring in her step she glides quickly by with the easy grace of one accustomed to a life of outdoor activity. There she turns and quickly enters the dwelling of Naomi, a respected Jewess. The first rays of the rising sun light upon the little city perched on the hilly eminence. More people are now moving through the streets. The sun mounts higher. Already it has driven back the refreshing morning coolness coming from the heavy dews of Mount Hermon many miles to the north. Though it is hardly yet summer according to the calendar, the six-month dry spell is well advanced and the sun makes its heat felt at an early hour. By this time people are seen everywhere. Tradespeople are displaying their wares; farmers are preparing to leave for the fields surrounding the town; and in the open space before the city gates little groups are gathered discussing the news of the day. The little agricultural settlement of Bethlehem is fully awake."

Description is the means used to portray the awakening of the little town. Before the reader's eyes the town seems to stir and stretch itself and, gradually at first, but thereafter with increased tempo, comes to bustling life for the day's activities. If dramatic action is to be described, forceful adjectives must be brought into play. A description is no stronger than the language used; the picture no brighter or clearer. However, do not overstuff with adjectives. For an additional excellent example of description see the first two paragraphs of the book "The Kingdom Is at Hand".

EXPOSITION. The next two paragraphs in "The Kingdom Is at Hand" employ exposition. They explain why John the Baptist was so called, why he lowered the bodies of those who came to him beneath Jordan's waters, and what was symbolized by this submerging. Exposition is the form of composition that informs, explains, defines, analyzes, etc. It means to make clear something that does not appear on the surface. It is often used at service meetings in explaining the proper way to make a doorstep setup or to

conduct a book study or to fill out reports. It is used in the field when explaining to the people the causes for suffering and death and world distress. More often than not exposition must be accompanied by satisfactory proofs, and this involves the fourth form of construction.

ARGUMENTATION. Argumentation is necessary to show the right or the wrong side of a proposition. Many misrepresentations have been foisted upon the credulous people concerning the Almighty and his people. Because sincere persons cling to the wrong way to their own hurt, it is necessary to use persuasion and argument to dislodge the obstacles in the pathway of those of good-will. In argument do not ridicule another for holding to certain ideas, but by logical reasoning based on the Scriptures endeavor to help him to solid, firm ground. Try to make the truth as convincing to listeners as it is to you. One's contentions must be backed up by acceptable proofs. For the Theocratic minister the Bible is primarily the source of proofs. Other works by recognized authorities, however, may be used to advantage, such as publications that present the viewpoint of one's opponent. In this way the charge of misrepresentation is spiked at the very beginning. From there on proceed to refute the opponent's arguments with acceptable proofs. Argument is one of the most valuable methods of presenting the Kingdom message. There is hardly a publication of the Society that does not use argumentation on the majority of its pages.

The determining factor in choosing which mode of construction to follow will be the speaker or writer's purpose. If the primary aim is to relate in chronological order a sequence of events, use narration; if the purpose is to describe, description; to explain, exposition; to convince and persuade, argumentation is the answer. From this one should not conclude that a talk will confine itself to one form of construction. Narration invariably has description, and to this most presentations of Kingdom truth add exposition and argumentation; indeed, the two latter forms

predominate, with argumentation playing a major role at all times.