Because I practically never used a manuscript when I delivered an address, many thought I spoke extemporaneously. But this was not the case, and I attempted to disabuse people's minds of this impression. As a rule, I decided not only what arguments I would make and what facts I would present, but I spent considerable time choosing the language in which my thought should be couched. I took myself very seriously indeed as a public speaker. (CWWW 186)
Regular topics included The Bright Side of a Dark Subject (which she delivered at Oberlin College as a