Historical speeches and the wow factor

Historical Speeches and the “ WOW” Factor Speech Ich bin ein Berliner I am a Berliner By John F. Kennedy
1. Why the speech was effective under that context,
Kennedy identified himself with the people while delivering the speech owing to their remarkable step, which the West Berliners people had taken to defy the communists’ regime or rule. Additionally, his act of support and approval regarding the rejection of communists’ regime prompted to the speech’s effectiveness where to the audience was a sign of motivation and encouragement.
2. The delivery skills of the speaker,
Speaker’s skills include,
i. Associating himself with the people besides being proud of what they did.
ii. Kennedy’s employs numerous pauses in his speech to allow people to cheer and get his message effectively.
iii. Kennedy utilizes powerful associating statements in German language like “ Ich bin ein Berliner” and “ Lass sic nach Berlin kommen”.
iv. He has remarkable oratory skills meant to capture people’s attention despite their constant cheering and clapping of hands.
v. He shows an exceptional stage command by looking to the people in a convincing glance that aligns effectively with his voice and speech.
vi. He praises the audience when he calls upon the entire world to emulate the West Berliners.
3. The needs of the audience
The audience was in desperate need of maintaining their freedom and democracy that will enable them be free from the communists. Besides, they were also looking forward to the liberty of their fellow Germans who were in East Berlin still under the communists’ rule.
4. The word choices used,
Kennedy prefers repeating some praises that will have impact on the people and prompt them to continue with the same spirit. These include, “…Let them come to Berlin…” which he was addressing to the world and other people who preferred the communists’ way of governance. He also chooses figurative words and statements like “…. indivisible” and “ sober satisfaction” when referring to the state of freedom and relieve of the people respectively.
5. Memorable phrases,
These include,
i. All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin, and, therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words ” Ich bin ein Berliner!” (American Rhetoric, 2001).
ii. “ Lass sic nach Berlin kommen” (American Rhetoric, 2001).
iii. Freedom is indivisible, and when one man is enslaved, all are not free(American Rhetoric, 2001).
iv. “ Two thousand years ago the proudest boast was ” civis Romanus sum.” Today, in the world of freedom, the proudest boast is…..”(American Rhetoric, 2001).
6. And all other aspects the writer used to make this a great speech.
The writer’s major technique encompasses appreciating and shunning any incidence of demeaning the audience. This is via giving the hope of maintaining their struggle coupled with stating great things in future that will result from their hard resolutions to stand for the truth and justice. He also refers to his audience as an example in the world where each state ought to emulate besides deriding the communists’ erection of a wall meant to hold its subjects captive.
Speech #2: Remarks on the Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. By Robert F. Kennedy
1. Why the speech was effective under that context,
Kennedy’s then speech in this context was effective due to the neutral ground that he adopted regarding the assassination coupled with his remorseful state. He shunned all cases that will lead to blame games and called upon the people to focus to the future, where there will be equality and love among America’s races (American Rhetoric, 2001).
2. The delivery skills of the speaker,
i. His oratory exceptional skills
ii. His ability to analyze the people’s atmosphere when delivering his message, which will not arouse and trigger more hatred among the Blacks
iii. He uses his wit of not siding with either by giving an example of his friend’s assassination by a white man (American Rhetoric, 2001).
iv. His identification with the audience besides understanding what they were undergoing.
3. The needs of the audience,
Kennedy’s audience (Blacks) their greatest need prior and during the then his speech was equality; championed by their assassinated leader whom they were not aware.
4. The word choices,
These included love, unity, compassion and justice, which comprise his speech besides comforting the Blacks.
5. Memorable phrases,
i. “ to say a prayer for the family of Martin Luther King — yeah, its true — but more importantly to say a prayer for our own country, which all of us love — a prayer for understanding and that compassion of which I spoke” (American Rhetoric, 2001).
ii. “ Martin Luther King dedicated his life to love and to justice between fellow human beings (American Rhetoric, 2001).”
iii. “…. Weve had difficult times in the past, but we — and we will have difficult times in the future. It is not the end of violence; it is not the end of lawlessness; and its not the end of disorder.. ” (American Rhetoric, 2001).
6. And all other aspects the writer used to make this a great speech.
Kennedy decided to use a low tone in this particular speech compared to other occasions when addressing the audience. Besides, contrary to diverse political speeches where he gives time for the audience to cheer, here Kennedy reads it slowly for the people to understand and clear tension.
References
American Rhetoric. (2001). Top 100 Speeches. Retrieved on 21St September 2012 from < http://www. americanrhetoric. com/speeches/rfkonmlkdeath. html >