The Elocutionary Movement

The Elocutionary Movement was a 19th and early 20th-century effort focused on improving public speaking and pronunciation skills. It aimed to make speech clearer, more expressive, and socially refined by teaching proper diction, pronunciation, and delivery techniques. Advocates believed effective speech was essential for education, social standing, and professional success. The movement led to the development of formal training programs and textbooks in elocution—study of proper speaking—emphasizing clarity, tone, and posture. Overall, it sought to elevate communication skills as a vital part of personal and societal development.