For This Discussion Board Watch A Snippet Of President Obama
For This Discussion Board Watch A Snippet Of President Obamas Extemp
For this discussion board, watch a snippet of President Obama's extemporaneous speech he delivered at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge for the 2015 Selma Jubilee Celebration (better known as #Selma50) and then watch Phil Davidson's speech to Stark County and answer the questions below: After watching the speech, on a scale of 1 to 10, how well do you believe Pres. Obama delivered his extemporaneous speech? Please explain your rating. Discuss if you believe his gestures and eye contact helped or contrasted with the message he was trying to send? Was his overall delivery effective? Why or why not? Discuss the purpose and his audience. Is Obama's message appropriate for the audience and demographics? Explain your answers. Now discuss Phil Davidson's message, delivery skills (eye moments, hand gestures, movement in front of the audience, etc.).
Compare and contrast the two very different speech deliveries. Your response should be 5 to 7 sentences in length (or longer). Refrain from mentioning your political views as it relates to this speech.
Paper For Above instruction
The delivery of a speech plays a crucial role in how effectively the message is communicated and received by the audience. In this analysis, I compare President Obama's extemporaneous speech at the Selma Jubilee Celebration and Phil Davidson's speech to Stark County, focusing on their delivery styles and effectiveness.
President Obama's speech at Selma was delivered with a natural and engaging style, which captured the emotional and historical significance of the event. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate his delivery as an 8. His gestures were deliberate and reinforced key points, while his eye contact with the audience created a sense of connection and sincerity. These nonverbal cues contributed positively to his message, emphasizing unity, resilience, and hope. Overall, his delivery was effective because it resonated with the audience, conveyed authenticity, and maintained an appropriate tone for the occasion. The purpose of his speech was to honor the legacy of the civil rights movement and inspire continued progress, and his message was highly appropriate given the audience's demographics, which included civil rights veterans, descendants, and community leaders (Carney & Tannen, 2020).
In contrast, Phil Davidson's speech delivery was more restrained and formal, with limited physical movement and restrained gestures. His eye contact was more sporadic, and his hand gestures were minimal, which resulted in a less dynamic presentation. Despite this, Davidson's calm demeanor and clear articulation contributed to a professional image, although the lack of expressive gestures may have hindered his engagement with the audience. His delivery method suited a more informational purpose but lacked the emotional impact of Obama’s speech, which was vital for connecting with an audience during a ceremonial or memorial event.
Comparing the two, Obama's delivery was warm, emotive, and visually engaging, fostering a sense of community and shared history. Davidson's approach was more reserved and focused on clarity, emphasizing professionalism over emotional appeal. The differences highlight the importance of adapting delivery style to the speech's purpose and audience; while Obama utilized gestures and eye contact to evoke emotional connection, Davidson relied on his voice and content clarity to maintain authority and focus. Both styles effectively served their respective goals but demonstrated contrasting approaches to extemporaneous speaking.
References
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