What Makes a Great Speech?
As a political reporter and someone studying communications, I’ve enjoyed watching great speakers deliver great speeches.
Here is what makes a great speech.
- A Defined Message.
- Speaking Directly to Your Audience.
- Connecting With Your Audience.
- Providing Examples That Support Your Message.
- Telling a Story – If possible, use video to help tell that story.
Communications.
It is everything, especially now.
With all the disinformation these days, who do you trust?
I have an answer. Trust yourself.
Think.
Use The Power of Video
One sure way to verify these days is to watch the video, not of talking heads, but pictures and events.
Picture and videos do not lie. Oh, sure, you can photoshop. You can edit. But it is impossible to change all the videos of the thousands being bombarded in Ukraine.
Zelensky’s Speech
Today, Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, delivered a speech to the United States Congress, and he pretty much nailed it.
Here is how he did it.
- Point one: The Message? – Ukraine needs help. Ukraine needs America’s support. Then he told us why and how we could help. Why? World peace is at stake. Help Ukraine fight the War that Russia is waging against a peaceful country. If we don’t, what country is next?
- Point two: Who is your audience? The United States. Here is how Ukraine’s President connected with us. He talked about our darkest moments.
- Point three: He used examples to connect with Americans. He began by mentioning Mount Rushmore, a great American symbol. Some of our great presidents are carved in stone. An American monument that stands for freedom and democracy.
Pearl Harbor
Next, he talked about Pearl Harbor. The day that lives in Infamy. A dark day that convinced Americans to enter World War II.
September 11, 2021
Nine-eleven. A day when evil tried to turn our streets into battlefields. He said his country is experiencing the same evil we felt on September 11th.
Zelensky Connected with his audience.
Point four: Give examples that drive home your message home.
In talking about attacks on America, Zelensky gave us examples of his country is going through.
He described the terror his country has been enduring for the last eight years at the hands of Russia.
He named all the cities that have been attacked in the last three weeks.
He said Russia had launched one thousand missiles at those cities in Ukraine.
He described the attacks on his country as “Terror that has not been seen since World War II.”
Connecting as Friends
He called us friends, American friends.
He quoted the great Martin Luther King Jr., “I Have a Dream.” he repeatedly said.
Ukraine wants what America has, “democracy, peace. “
“Russia has attacked not just our city and us; it is attacking our freedom and values and taking away our future.”
His Asks – The Elusive No-Fly Zone
He again asked for help to establish a no-fly zone.
He must know he will not get this from the world’s greatest superpower because it would surely push Madman Putin to attack the United States.
Or maybe I should say, it would give Putin the excuse he wants to attack us.
Another Option
Zelensky gave us the option to supply Ukraine with military hardware so they can continue to defend themselves again, the second greatest superpower in the world, Russia.
When I say superpower, I’m talking about countries that possess the most nuclear weapons.
Sanctions
Zelensky thanked us for the sanctions.
“We are grateful for sanctions,” he said. “But I call on you to do more.”
The Ukrainian President asked for a “new package of sanctions.”
And ee called on all American companies to pull out of Russia.
Point Five: He didn’t lecture. He told us a story. And he used a video.
The Video
The video shows the beauty of Ukraine and the horrors of war, killing, and death.
After the video, Ukraine’s President spoke to us in English.
“Now I’m almost 45 years old,” Zelenskyy said. “Today, my age stopped when the heart of more than 100 children stopped beating. I see no sense in life if it cannot stop the deaths.”
Child Deaths – War Crimes
The most recent numbers from the U.N. indicate 52 children have been confirmed dead as of March 15, though total counts can be “considerably higher.” The U.N. notes that the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine reports that 103 children had been killed and more than 100 injured.
The U.S. and Russia
I’ve been listening to experts talk about the face-off between the United States and Russia. They say it is inevitable.
After Russia used Trump as a puppet after Russia meddled in our Democratic elections, what else do you think Russia is doing to undermine our democracy.
Now, more than ever. We need to communicate with each other about these critical issues.
Talk to each other.
Take some lessons from the president of Ukraine. He’s a great communicator.
I’m Gloria Moraga. Be safe.
