Why Give Speeches?

As I’ve written more and more posts for this blog, I’ve found myself asking one simple question. Why do people give speeches? I’ve considered, lately, the many type of speeches there are.

A handout on speeches states, “Most speeches invite audiences to react in one of three ways: feeling, thinking, or acting.”

Feeling? Most definitely. I think back to high school when my sister and I were particularly wrapped up in chick flicks. We were going to make a video that comprised only the “cute” speeches from all of our favorite films.

Noah’s famous speech from The Notebook was the first speech on our list: “So it's not gonna be easy. It's going to be really hard; we're gonna have to work at this everyday, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, everyday. You and me... everyday.”

In Moulin Rouge, Christian tries to convince Satin of a real love that exists outside the whore house. He says, “ But, a life without love, that's... terrible... No! Love is like oxygen!..Love is a many splendored thing. Love lifts us up where we belong. All you need is love!”

Why is it that these speeches attract us? They evoke emotion. They are given to make us feel.

As a college student, the type of speech I’m most familiar with is the college lecture. It is given to make us think, to help us learn.

I think these types of speeches are becoming less important because oftentimes, the classroom is becoming more interactive and less like a speech. Nonetheless, speeches to teach extend to religious forums, humanitarian promotion, and commercials on television.

I often picture Henry David Thoreau’s words from Walden in the form of a speech. His quotations are so memorable that many people quote them in speeches. “I went into the woods because I wished to live deliberately…” Thoreau says. This speech promotes action. Who wouldn’t, after hearing these words, wish to find out what’s important about life, front only its essential parts, and live as deliberately as Thoreau himself lived.

Whether given to evoke emotion, promote thought, or ignite to action, speeches are unquestionably an important part of our current culture.

The First, too Often Last, Impression

In Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, Dr. Victor Frankenstein forms and breathes life into a creature whom he abandons moments after he sees “…the dull yellow eye of the creature open…”

An article entitled Making a Great First Impression suggests that it takes only about three seconds for someone to evaluate and form an opinion of another person. “In this short time, the other person forms an opinion about you based on your appearance, your body language, your demeanor, your mannerisms, and how you are dressed.”

I will relate an unfortunate, yet truthful account detailing the reality that people don’t wait to get to know other people before passing judgment on them.

It’s the first day of my second year at school. I sit in an over sized classroom in the Hart, the exercise building at BYU-Idaho. It’s 10:00 a.m. Class doesn’t start until 10:15, but two girls Andrea and Lindsay who got here early learn everybody’s names. They are the glue that first stuck this class together.
After waiting 15 minutes for class to start. Brother Haley finally strolls into the room. He is a larger gentleman with a cane. His forehead wrinkles with pain. I didn’t see this then.

“Hah, fit for life?” I laugh to myself, “good joke. Why didn’t this guy get out and run before he got so out of shape that he needed a cane?”
Moments later, my stomach churned like it does right after eating big greasy Philly cheese steak. My face flushes. Brother Haley relates to the class his multiple titles as coach of a state championship football team. He used to play to. He ran hard. He walked without a cane.

His active days were long gone, though. However, it wasn’t because he was lazy or had given up on the motto, “Fit for life.” Brother Haley had found, years previously, that he had a disease called Multiple Sclerosis, a disease in which human bones deteriorate and make it hard to walk.

I felt ashamed of my first impression but was glad that this shame motivated me to see beyond the initial idea that I had of this man who, more than anybody, would have been fit forever if he could have been.

I remember this story anytime I need to impress others. For speech givers facing an audience, look presentable and stay on topic, as previous blog posts have suggested. Smile yet be unique.

For those trying to land a job or pick up a date, be on time and remember that first impressions count.

Post Sept. 11 Presidential Address

Over the years, I've heard comments that President Bush's public speaking ability is less than desirable. He's not quite as personable as his predecessor, President Clinton, nor the current president, President Obama. I decided, since it had been too long since I had heard any major addresses from President Bush, I would review some major speeches and form my own opinion.
The first I chose to review was this post 9/11 address. Upon watching it, I found that President Bush's eyes never leave the same general area. It's as if he's reading the entire speech from a teleprompter. This is fine, however, good speech givers disguise this; blinking helps. Practiced speakers become familiar enough with the speech that a line from the teleprompter is enough to get them through several upcoming lines.

The possibility this speech being read could explain why several sentences seem a little choppy. Another good help for speech giving is to practice it before hand to make sure the sentences flow.

Body position is another thing that could help President Bush's speech delivery. His tense frame makes him seem nervous and unsure, almost, of what he is saying.

Why is it, though, with some of these weaknesses of delivery that President Bush's 9/11 address exhibits, was his popularity at an all time high? Why is it that despite a knack for public speaking I regard this speech as one of the most important our nation has received?

It all goes back to a famous quote my English professor at BYU-Idaho always said: "Content is key."

President Bush nails the content in this message, and that makes up for all the other areas that may be lacking in this area. He fronted an issue that needed to be faced straight on and immediately. He gave hope to America by showing its strengths and its resolve to overcome this trial.

He said, “A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundation of America’s biggest buildings, but they cannot shake the foundation of America…the brightest beacon for freedom.”

He continued by recognizing the brave servicemen who represented the “best of America.” He also presented a plan to protect the injured of our nation wherever they may be. He said that the American Economy would not shut down, but would be open for business the next day. He promised that the terrorists and all who harbored them would be sought out and punished similarly. His concluding plea that all Americans pray for our country tied up his organized plan, which factored into the nation’s being able to work through the September 11^th tragedy. It is this same organized plan that makes this speech  a king of content and, thus, worthwhile.

Practice Makes Perfect

In my interpersonal communications course last fall, we discussed ways to become better communicators. We also stressed the importance of being yourself--real and not fake. People always want to know how to improve their communication and stay true to their personalities. If people try new styles of communicating, is that betraying their original personalities. I say, "No way."

Life is a journey. People are all at different stages of that journey. Everyone is trying to find the real he/she that makes most sense and brings most happiness.

In class, we decided the best way to find your true form of communication is to practice many styles. If you see someone who seems particularly crafted at dealing with people, then mirror their actions. It may seem unnatural at first, but it gets to the point that you can mold it to yourself, until it becomes your own style of communication.

My roommate Sydney, for example, has always gotten on well with people. She just knows how to talk to them. She is very friendly, makes a point to remember names and tid-bits of information about the people she encounters, and smiles a lot.  I'm horrible with names, so I decided  first to try smiling when I talk to people. When people feel you enjoy being around them, as shown by a smile, they feel happier about being around you.  


I think the same could be said for speeches. Blogger Nick Morgan speaks of some who are particularly good at speeches. (see http://publicwords.typepad.com/nickmorgan/2008/09/do-politicians-write-their-own-speeches.html) Ronald Reagan especially knew where he stood and how he wanted to communicate those beliefs.

President Obama also is known for his communication skills. What would it hurt to study out these politicians and the styles they choose to communicate through?

Narrow, Concise, Focus

Focus is key to speech writing.

Did you notice how warm it was for having snowed last week? I barely had to wear a jacket today.

Speaking of jackets, I bought a new one when I went shopping in Idaho falls last week. Its design consists of pink and black squares. The squares are small enough that they almost remind me of candy, a mix between Chiclets and  and Starbursts.

Mentos are my favorite type of candy. They aren't as messy as chocolate, yet not as sour as Sour Patch Kids (another favorite), so I don't get mouth sores from them.

Overall, I hope this post is proof as to why a narrow focus, leading down to a particular point in a speech is important.

A Lesson in Speech Delivery

A few weeks ago, this man, Ahmed Corbitt, held a forum on the BYU-Idaho campus. Students flooded in the building and squished next to one another on benches at least a half hour before the speech began. The whole student body was invited to attend.

Throughout the hour I spent listening to Ahmed's scriptural basis to the ethical and professional tactics he practices in the world of public relations, I also noted a few things about the delivery of his speech.

First of all, he was aware of his audience. He knew that at a church school, students might wonder whether it's possible to be professionally successful while remaining religiously grounded and ethically sound.

Secondly, he dressed the part. While in front of the forum group, he wore a nice black suit and complimentary tie. When he taught my public relations class the next day, he relaxed, according to the vibes he received from his audience. He took his suit coat off. It's important that people giving speeches read the publics whom they address.

Finally, Ahmed's speech was animated. The inflections in his voice helped to emphasize critical points of his speech. Voice involvement is a good way to engage an audience. If a speech sounds boring, people will expect it to be boring and will turn the speaker off.

To those observing, Ahmed Corbitt taught much more than his professional practices at forum that day.

Rosana Rosanadana verses Gilda Radner--Who is the better communicator?

Now that you have seen my favorite of Gilda Radner's Saturday Night Live skits, what did you think? Does this constitute a good or bad speech delivery?

There are a few factors to be considered. First of which is, are we discussing Rosana Rosanadana or Gilda Radner's communication skills?

First of all, Rosana's "shout outs" at the beginning of a speech are unacceptable. It's not professional.

Secondly, it's important to stay on topic. Implying that the invitation to address the audience came at 6:30 that morning with less than twenty-four hours notice not only makes the association for which you are giving the speech look bad, it also turns people off to the idea of engaging fully in your seemingly unprepared message. Going off on tangents about neck boils and the cue tips heads embedded in bologna never really enhances the message of a speech, either.

Finally, Rosana's body language when giving a speech is kills her delivery. Gum is a poor habit of speech givers. Slouching looks sloppy. Speeding up the speaking rate during the really powerful parts of the speech really only shows a lack of control.

Gilda Radner, on the other hand, the woman playing Rosana Rosanadana, has to be an excellent speech giver. She knows all the rules to speeches, so she knows enough how to effectively break those rules to make a funny skit. She is animated, and uses her facial expressions to engage her crowd.