Attention Quote by George Henry Lewes
“If the members of a class do not understand -- if those directly addressed fail to listen, or listening, fail to recognize a power in the voice -- surely the fault lies with the speaker, who, having attempted to secure their attention and enlighten their understandings, has failed in the attempt.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Art of Speaking, 1865
If listeners don’t understand, the speaker is at fault for not engaging them effectively.
In simple terms: Speaker must capture and keep audience attention.
Key Takeaway
Improve communication by ensuring audience engagement.
Themes
communication
responsibility
education
Mood
instructive
reflective
Type
educational
motivational
When to use this quote
- classroom teaching
- public speaking
- training sessions
Key Concepts
Rhetoric
pedagogy
attention theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What strategies can a speaker use to maintain attention?
- How can feedback improve delivery?
A Different Perspective
Audience factors also affect comprehension.
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
