The Importance Of Reading And Listening To A Speech

This day would be known as one as his greatest accomplishments. As he was rehearsing what he was going to say and walking up the three tiny steps of the stage, his heart started to take over as his ears flooded with cheers and applause. As the recipient would read and listen to a speech, one would come across a difference in pace, emotion, and repetition. The three speeches that are later on mentioned include the New Hampshire Primary by Barack Obama, John F. Kennedy’s Inauguration, and Barbara Jordan’s Democratic National Convention Keynote Address. Followers want a reason to feel safe and to gain new hope in a leader. Reading and listening to speeches differ because the reader renders varying paces, emotions, and repetitions from the speeches. …show more content…
When reading a speech the interpreter can not feel when the speaker gets more angry or proud, the reader has to put it together on their own. In Barbara Jordan’s speech the reader found her emotion on the topic written with, “Now that I have this grand distinction what in the world am I supposed to say?” (Jordan) Jordan made clear to the audience that she had feelings of being overwhelmed, astonished, and grateful. This piece of text created a clear image of a woman wanting to get her presence and voice known, but when it finally happened she did not know what to say and try to change first. Although while listening the audience heard a change in emotion with the volume of the speaker and the faster she got. When listening to a speech the audience hears a change in emotion with the text, “An I feel that notwithstanding the past that my presence here is one additional bit of evidence that the American Dream need not forever be deferred.” (Jordan) When Jordan said this line, she found herself consumed in the emotions of pride and being prepared. She gave the audience a reason as to why she found this important and a needed change. This piece of text proved that she overcame obstacles and challenges the unequal society put in front of her. Thus the emotion the reader gets from a speech can differ greatly from if they are just reading it or if they are …show more content…
When reading a speech the reader knows a phrase or word is repeated when it has significance to the bigger point of their speech. Obama’s first and important repeated phrase was, “There is something happening…” (Obama) He repeated this quote so the reader knew it was important and that change is happening in america. This brought attention to those lines starting with those four words. Also the points following this repeated phrase showed how the nation as a whole has changed, from the long lines of supporters to the younger voters. These things made him a proud citizen and he wanted everyone to see their progress. While listening to a speech the audience will more likely pay attention to the repeated phrases that were more loud or powerful. In the “Yes We Can” speech by Barack Obama, the recipient found this one repeated phrase key, “Yes We Can…” (Obama) This speech by Obama later on got known as the “Yes We Can” speech because he was so positive and clear on what he was going to do as president. He gave strong reasons on why he was the better candidate, while still being a good sport and not being cocky. This speech also came off of his loss but he still showed the people what could be done and changed. In summary, reading and listening to speeches can make their focus unclear. One example of this is repeated