Rein
Tuesday, December 23, 2003
The Audience’s Bill of Rights
We, the people of the audience, in order to form a more perfect speaking environment, establish clarity, ensure attention and interest, provide common understanding, promote communication, and secure the blessings of reason and logic for ourselves and our fellow listeners, do ordain and establish this Bill of Rights for the Public Forums of the United States,
Article I
No speaker shall come to the podium unprepared. The speaker shall have given thought to the issue and shall be equipped with notes and visual aids required.
Article II
The information contained in the speech shall be significant and useful. No excessive trivialities shall prevail on the podium.
Article III
The speaker shall tell the truth and nothing but the truth, and shall not intentionally deceive the audience by omitting necessary information.
Article IV
The speaker shall be punctual and not unnecessarily delay the audience. The speech shall begin and end on time.
Article V
The speaker shall articulate clearly and speak in a voice loud enough for all to hear. Attention shall be given even to those in the back of the room.
Article VI
The speaker shall be courteous to the audience at all times during the main address and during the question period.
The Speaker’s Rights
In accordance with this Bill, the speaker’s rights shall not be abridged by the audience. Members of the audience shall not heckle or create distractions that interfere with the speaker’s thoughts. The audience shall listen attentively even though they might disagree with the speaker’s viewpoint. They shall participate during the question period with directness and brevity. They shall not make speeches of their own from the floor.
Friday, December 12, 2003
