What makes an effective speech? Is it the content? The context? The delivery? Or some combination of each?
Want to learn how to improve your public speaking skills? Want to pick up a few inside pointers that will really “punch up” your next presentation? Just watch television and read the newspaper. Learn to analyze politics and politicians – not the politicians themselves and not their political positions. Just study their speeches and watch their delivery.
This is the first in a series of articles that I will post on the topic of campaign speeches and presentations. I learn a lot by observing the candidates. I read the text of their key speeches and replay the video to analyze their delivery. Please share your comments with the readers. This is not a partisan blog – I am not advocating for any candidate or party. Please keep this in mind when you post a comment.
Here is a quick overview of the four remaining candidates:
Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton offer a study in contrast – in style of delivery that is! While Senator Clinton frequently comes off as strident when she delivers a speech in a large arena, she is much more effective in an intimate setting. Likewise, Sen. Obama’s oratorical gifts and message of hope electrify the crowd. But he is less than pitch perfect in handling question & answer sessions and he seems to struggle in the debates.
On the Republican side, Senator John McCain has a great story to tell, but I find it painful to watch him deliver it. He is not a natural public speaker and he does not seem to care about improving his technique. This may come back to haunt him He should not attempt to tell jokes – his choice of material is suspect at best but his delivery … well, I’ll be charitable and say that he needs lots of work on his timing. On the other hand, Governor Mike Huckabee possesses a natural comedic talent. The camera loves him and he delivers – a great punch line. And a great speech. His presidential prospects for 2008 are slight at best, but we can learn a lot from observing and analyzing his presentation skills.
[…] Danny put an intriguing blog post on Yes We Can! – Learn How to Give Better Presentations Here’s a quick excerpt This may come back to haunt him He should not attempt to tell jokes – his choice of material is suspect at best but his delivery … well, I’ll be charitable and say that he needs lots of work on his timing. On the other hand, … […]