text, the author addresses the commonly held belief that public speaking is an innate talent rather than a learnable skill, arguing against this notion by emphasizing the importance of practice and training. Pittenger outlines the prerequisites for becoming a skilled speaker, including the cultivation of both thought and emotion, as well as the significance of structure in speech-making. He also hints at various methods of preparation for public address, such as reading widely, participating in debates, and engaging in practical training to build confidence and fluency. Through practical advice and theoretical insights, the opening sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the components of effective public speaking. (This is an automatically generated summary.)