MEMORANDUM To: From: Date: Re: Mrs.

Renee Pay Alexandra McAdam October 7, 2012 Professional Speaker Analysis

I had the opportunity to listen to Barrack Obama, the professional speaker and the Democratic Nominee for the President of the United States, at the Republican National Convention on October 3, 2012. Organization Barrack Obama demonstrated how we, as a nation, have many current problems constantly surrounding uswe simply need to come up with answers for them. Barrack Obama showed many issues that he had with the way our government was run or how we were currently running things. Some examples he proposed was to add taxes to the middle class and make tax cuts to small businesses as well. Another example is the jobs that are being outsourced and that are moving out of America for cheap labor and manufacturing. Barrack Obama provided the solution that he wanted to pull more jobs in America (both manufacturing and small businesses) to help the economy. Education is another aspect that Barrack Obama touched on during his speech; he talked about cutting college tuition in half over the next 10 years and recruiting a large amount of math and science teachers within the same amount of time. During his speech, he went through many points of government and changes that he wants to make if he is voted into office for a second termhe did all this in a very organized fashion and kept the audiences attention while doing so. The organizational pattern Barrack Obama used was the problem-solution pattern. Barrack Obama would first state the problem (such as having small businesses moving overseas and the education system) that was at hand and then he would continue on with how he either wanted to take actions towards fixing it or a solution that he came up with (like bringing more of our small businesses back to the United States and recruiting more teachers for the education system). He also used deductive reasoninghis organization pattern and reasoning was very effective with the audience because by telling them the problem and then what he was going to do about it showed ambition and that he wants to make a change. Barrack Obama would address a problem at hand and then quickly state the solution that he wanted to take place through another presidencyhe gave many examples previously stated.

Supporting Material Ethos Ethos is defined as a speakers credibility. Barrack Obama demonstrated Ethos by once being a United States Senator from Illinois. Barrack Obama is our current president of the United States of America. He holds credibility through these specific titles that he has had previously and demonstrated Ethos for all of the voters. Because of the credibility that Barrack Obama has, he might be able to win over some more votes for this election. Why do I believe Barrack Obama? Barrack Obama is a very well-practiced speaker and the way he performs lets the audience believe that he knows what he is talking about. I feel like since he was our previous president that that gives him a lot of credibility because he gained experience throughout his presidency. Although his opponent may have some other experience in similar areas, Mitt Romney cannot say that he was the President of the United States and does not have the same experience as Barrack Obama does. Therefore I believe that Barrack Obama is an efficient speaker and very empowering. Pathos Pathos is defined as the emotional appeal that the speaker has towards the audience. Barrack Obama demonstrated Pathos through the pitch and tone of his voice throughout his entire speech. He often spoke louder to get the crowd excited and goingas well as softening his voice to create a more serious atmosphere with his audience. During his speech, Barrack Obama was able to excite the audience, then got serious quickly, and then riled them up once again all by the way he performed for them. An example of this was that whenever he would talk about his opponent, he would have a slightly sarcastic tone and kind of come off as making fun of Mitt Romney. Another example would be that whenever he would speak about something serious, such as the economy and jobs, he would be very straightforward with the audience and explain things well, creating a stern atmosphere that was very appealing to the audience and myself because we want to be able to take him seriously. He sent the crowd through an emotional roller coaster as they (as well as myself) tried to keep up with the emotions that he was creating for us and trying to get us to feel through the things that he was saying. Logos Logos is defined as the logical view of what the speaker is saying. Barrack Obama had demonstrated Logos here and there throughout his speech. Logic was a very strong strategy that Barrack Obama used to capture his audience during his speech. Whenever he would place a point or action in front of the audience he would then back up his ideas with logic (Logos) and explain to the audience why he was right. Logos was very strong

for Barrack Obama during his speech and he had many points that helped to back up his supporting material. A specific example of the Logos in Barrack Obamas convention speech is the way he logically explained why foreign oil was not a benefit to the United States. Barrack Obama explained how gas and foreign oil is not helping the US when it comes to debt explaining carefully to the audience the right approach is to have gas and oil be local and taken care of on our own lands instead of as a foreign matter. Although Barrack Obama has some solid credibility to back him up, he also had a fallacy or two within his speechIm sure there were more, considering that he is a political speaker, but I only caught a few. One of the fallacies that I feel he mentioned was the idea that we are still in a recession when by actual definition we are in a depression. In my opinion this can be labeled as a fallacy simply because it was a little stretched and is inaccurate information. Other than this one example I didnt hear anything too bold throughout his speech. Delivery Barrack Obama is a very well-spoken speaker because he didnt hold up posters, present a PowerPoint, or throw any other extravagant presentations at the audience to grab their attention and hold it. He had the American flag behind him which was a good back drop for a speaker trying to represent the United States of America. Another visual aid was that his tie matched the backgroundit was blue and white. Otherwise, there werent any other visual aids that were presented to the audience. Barrack Obama stayed behind the podium the entire time and let his verbal words and body language do the talking. Examples of the nonverbal communication that Barrack Obama used in his speech are his great hand gestures, constant eye contact, encouraging smiles, reassuring waves to the audience, and specific pursing of the lips when he is waiting for a reaction from the audience. First of all his hand gestures were very controlled and precise. He knew where he wanted his hands to be and didnt overuse any hand gestures that showed nervousness or anxiety of speaking in front of so many people. Second he swept the audience many times with his eyes, making strong eye contact with many of the people in the crowd. Third he smiledmany speakers find it hard to smile because they are either nervous or take the topic too seriously to remember to lighten up every now and then. He also waved to the audience when he was exiting and presented grace by carefully walking off the stage with great poise. And finally, whenever Barrack Obama would wait for a reaction from the audience, or was simply waiting for the crowd to simmer downhe would purse his lips. It was an action that I think he is just used to doing to wait and continue one the audience reacted to whatever it is he was saying. Motivation Enthusiasm is the key to motivation in my judgment. Having an enthusiastic speaker leads to an enthusiastic leaderI would want to vote for someone who knew what they wanted and had the attitude to go after it. Barrack Obama was very motivational throughout his entire speech. He was also known to be a very motivational speaker and 3

always has been throughout his presidency. Barrack Obama has fine-tuned his speaking skills by not only changing his vocal tonebut also speaking to the audience as if he is speaking to every individual that stood before him. Barrack Obama motivates by letting people think that he caresnot only for each person, but also f or the bigger picture. Barrack Obama explained to us that we are not great, we have to earn it. Many of the words Barrack Obama said could be written down and quoted often with how powerful he was. He explained to everyone that was listening that its what we have done as simple people that has made it that so many great things has come to pass. He also stated its not what can be done for us but what can be done by us. Barrack Obama uses personal stories in his speech, he yells when he needs to get the crowd excited and speaks calmly when he wants to be taken seriously. He is a very motivational speaker in all of the words that he said and the gesture that he made.