Week 2 – 2a
The components of a great speech
Great speeches contain phrases and performances that linger through time. There are observable techniques common to each great speech throughout history.
Research, along with my own observations, has produced the following key elements:
1) The catchphrase
A catchphrase can be identified when ‘a word or expression is used repeatedly’, so that can it can easily be recalled by the listener, to impress a message in a similar manner to an advertising slogan (Merriam-Webster 2016).
Consider Martin Luther King, Jnr’s most commonly quoted ‘I have a dream’ speech, delivered on 28 August 1963 (Martin Luther King Jnr 1963, cited in American Rhetoric 2016). Rarely is the phrase ‘I have a dream’ uttered in media or otherwise, without being a reference to this famous speech.
‘I have a dream’ by Martin Luther King Jnr., 28 August 1963.
On 4 November 2008, Barack Obama solidified his place in auditory history with his election victory speech, asserting: “Yes, we can” (Obama 2008, cited in American Rhetoric 2016).
In his victory speech, Barack Obama (2008, cited in American Rhetoric 2016) weaves a powerful story together with a strong message and closes using the catchphrase ‘yes we can’.
2) A powerful story with a message
Barack Obama tells the story of Ann Nixon Cooper, voting in Atlanta on the day of the election, braving queues, to ensure her voice was heard, even at 106 years of age (Obama 2008, cited in American Rhetoric 2016, p. 4). The following year, she passed away, leading to ‘fresh’ media coverage of the story and the message that Obama had imparted a year prior (‘Ann Nixon Cooper…dies at 107’ 2009).
3) A convincing or passionate delivery
A convincing or passionate delivery enhances the words and message being imparted.
Barack Obama’s response to the Trayvon Martin ruling (The White House 2013) is an example of a convincing verbal and non-verbal performance.
He speaks gently, slowly and thoughtfully, to cover a delicate matter with compassion, yet authority.
Notably, his gestures and facial expressions are serious, showing concern. Through the use of the palms-down gesture (, he appears to be (non-verbally) placating or calming the public.
4) A significant cause
Great speeches are often historically significant, forming a bedrock for future speakers. There is no clearer example than Martin Luther King:
Martin Luther King had made his first national address in 1957, imploring Congress to allow voting rights for African-Americans, using the catchphrase ‘give us the ballot’ (King Encyclopedia 2016 [ii]). On 28 August 1963, he rallied against racial discrimination, for freedom, peace and acceptance at the close of the march ‘Washington for jobs and freedom’, culminating in his famous ‘I have a dream’ speech (King Encyclopedia 2016 [i]).
King (1963, cited in Collins & Membery 2011) asserts: “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed”. A line from the Declaration of Independence is then quoted: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal’ (National Archives 2016).
In his bid for equality, Martin Luther King was an advocate for a significant cause, rendering his several of his speeches ‘legendary’.
5) Engaging the audience
No speech can be great unless the audience has been captivated by it. Engaging the audience is essential to imparting a message effectively.
Motivational speaker, Nick Vujicic (2011) provides a shining example of how to relate to and interact with an audience, in his presentation to school students, which forms part of a DVD set. The astounding factor in Nick’s presentation, is that he has no limbs, yet manages to maintain the audience’s attention, whilst also involving them in activities and games.
Another factor in Nick’s presentation is that he uses the lingo of the students to which he is presenting. This is important, as it bridges a potential communication gap. The students can relate to his anecdotes and his sense of humour relaxes them about his appearance.
In an incredible moment (at 6:54) Nick kicks a tennis ball with his ‘chicken drumstick’ foot, and it reaches the waiting student perfectly (Nick Vujicic 2011). Aside from being an accomplished speaker, Nick demonstrates his greatness and gob-smacking ability to overcome major setbacks in order to achieve in life.
Engaging the audience involves providing inspiration to them – evoking their deepest dreams and goals, and leading by example.
In conclusion, the greatest speeches throughout time possess a combination of factors that make them significant. They use catchphrases, powerful stories, are persuasively delivered, support an important cause, and are designed to engage or involve the audience, in order to effectively impart a message.
References
‘Ann Nixon Cooper named in Obama’s victory speech dies at 107’ 2009, The New York Times, 22 December, viewed 11 April 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/23/us/politics/23cooper.html?_r=0
Collins, CT & Membery, Y 2011, ‘Ten of the greatest: inspirational speeches’, The Daily Mail, 9 February, viewed 17 April 2016, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1296226/Ten-greatest-Inspirational-speeches.html
C-SPAN 2008, President-elect Barack Obama victory speech, video, 5 November, viewed 9 April 2016, https://youtu.be/jJfGx4G8tjo
King Encyclopedia 2016 [i], Martin Luther King Jnr. and the global freedom struggle: March on Washington for jobs and freedom, Carson, C & Stanford University (eds), viewed on 17 April 2016, http://kingencyclopedia.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/encyclopedia/enc_march_on_washington_for_jobs_and_freedom/index.html
King Encyclopedia 2016 [ii], Martin Luther King Jnr. and the global freedom struggle: Give us the ballot, Carson, C & Stanford University (eds), viewed on 17 April 2016, http://kingencyclopedia.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/documentsentry/doc_give_us_the_ballot_address_at_the_prayer_pilgrimage_for_freedom/
King, ML, Jnr. 1963, Martin Luther King Jnr: I have a dream, cited in American Rhetoric 2016, viewed 9 April 2016, http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm
Merriam-Webster 2016, Catchphrase, viewed 11 April 2016, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catchphrase
National Archives 2016, The Charters of Freedom: Declaration of Independence – a transcription, viewed on 17 April 2016, http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html
Nick Vujicic 2011, DVD part 1/11, video, 30 April, viewed 15 April 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snDQe3tWwRQ&feature=related
Obama, B 2008, Barack Obama: President elect victory speech, cited in American Rhetoric 2016, viewed 9 April 2016, http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/
The White House 2013, President Obama speaks on Trayvon Martin, video, 19 July, viewed 9 April 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHBdZWbncXI&feature=youtu.be
Speech & Script by Sheena 