NationStates Jolt Archive

After listening to a few speeches of politicians (especially U.S. Senator Barrack Obama), I got to wondering:

How is one able to let their thoughts flow in such an eloquent way?

Although it may seem a long shot away, I desire to get into politics after a service in the U.S. Navy. Obviously, the ability to convey your thoughts is a major requirement. Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X couldn't have made any impact in United States Civil Rights if they were a bore during speeches.

Does anyone have any tips for achieving the amount of persuasiveness of many influential people? Does anyone have any examples or anything that can help me out?

what is it with all the sailors on NS? have I gotten that lazy that I'm spending time on naval boards :p

and the important thing to do in speeches and politics is to pander to the whims of the ignorant majority with promises that you can't keep and outright slander

You should learn from Hitler. You'll need:
Epic passion for the job
A very strong belief that you are right about everything
A group to blame all of society's problems on.

I have to admit, I don't find much eloquence in today's politicians. The speeches I've heard lately are pretty basic, repetitive, and bore me to tears after the first five minutes.

That being said, the thing to remember is the speakers themselves don't come up with these words on the spot, nor do they think of them on their own. Most, if not all, have overworked speech writers that sweat bullets to make the words "flow" (if you can call anything G.W. Bush says as "flowing") during their speeches. That's how you will make it in the political arena.

After listening to a few speeches of politicians (especially U.S. Senator Barrack Obama), I got to wondering:

How is one able to let their thoughts flow in such an eloquent way?

Although it may seem a long shot away, I desire to get into politics after a service in the U.S. Navy. Obviously, the ability to convey your thoughts is a major requirement. Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X couldn't have made any impact in United States Civil Rights if they were a bore during speeches.

Does anyone have any tips for achieving the amount of persuasiveness of many influential people? Does anyone have any examples or anything that can help me out?

Hire a good speech writer?

That being said, the thing to remember is the speakers themselves don't come up with these words on the spot, nor do they think of them on their own. Most, if not all, have overworked speech writers that sweat bullets to make the words "flow" (if you can call anything G.W. Bush says as "flowing") during their speeches. That's how you will make it in the political arena.

That's true for most. However, I've noticed Obama (which is why I pointed him out specifically in my first post) not reading from anything - he says it from his mind. I noticed this after the New Hampshire primaries. I doubt that he is able to memorize a 10 minute loosing speech and a (possibly) 10 minute victory speech perfectly, without any flaws, in one night.

You should learn from Hitler. You'll need:
Epic passion for the job
A very strong belief that you are right about everything
A group to blame all of society's problems on.

Dammit, you beat me! *grumbles* But yeah, I think no matter how good a speech writer is, if the person reading it hasn't got the passion for the subject, the speech will fall flat. As for someone to blame, it's never your fault, it's always those on the opposite end of the spectrum to your audience.

I don't consider myself a good public speaker, I've not done anything major, but I find when speaking having a page of notes is a good balance. Whilst a full scripted speech can sound like it's being recited by a robot, and nothing on paper at all leads to me rambling, a page or so of points to cover, things to mention, people to thank, etc. always makes my speeches flow well.

Oh, and practice, lots of practice.

That's true for most. However, I've noticed Obama (which is why I pointed him out specifically in my first post) not reading from anything - he says it from his mind. I noticed this after the New Hampshire primaries. I doubt that he is able to memorize a 10 minute loosing speech and a (possibly) 10 minute victory speech perfectly, without any flaws, in one night.

I think he also gets a lot of media training to help him become eloquent and fluent.

I think the most important things to become eloquent are:

good writers
good media training
experience
talent

So if you're serious about becoming a politician I would gain some experience in talking to large crowds, it's pretty much the only thing you can do.

(if you can call anything G.W. Bush says as "flowing")

He's such a bad speaker, you'd think that the president of such a large nation would at least posses some eloquence.

That's true for most. However, I've noticed Obama (which is why I pointed him out specifically in my first post) not reading from anything - he says it from his mind. I noticed this after the New Hampshire primaries. I doubt that he is able to memorize a 10 minute loosing speech and a (possibly) 10 minute victory speech perfectly, without any flaws, in one night.

Which means he probably has an autocue, or has memorised the key points to cover and phrases to use. Basically, you hire a good speechwriter, and practice, practice, practice. Caring about the subject is also useful.

That's true for most. However, I've noticed Obama (which is why I pointed him out specifically in my first post) not reading from anything - he says it from his mind. I noticed this after the New Hampshire primaries. I doubt that he is able to memorize a 10 minute loosing speech and a (possibly) 10 minute victory speech perfectly, without any flaws, in one night.

its good speech writing and practice.

and being smart enough to be able to adapt a speech to a new circumstance.

obama makes speeches all day every day. sometimes he says the exact same speech; some times he changes it up to keep it fresh.

it a matter of starting with good material and developing a good speaking style.

apparently obama is better at this than mccain is. i was struck at how stilted mccain's victory speeches were. it was painfully obvious that he was reading it off the page.

I desire to get into politics after a service in the U.S. Navy.

Stop stealing my ideas, damn it!

That's true for most. However, I've noticed Obama (which is why I pointed him out specifically in my first post) not reading from anything - he says it from his mind. I noticed this after the New Hampshire primaries. I doubt that he is able to memorize a 10 minute loosing speech and a (possibly) 10 minute victory speech perfectly, without any flaws, in one night.

If he has any flaws in it..who is to know? How would you know what he said is actually what he was going to say? And I doubt the speech was memorized in one night. It's called planning, dear.

All in all though..if you want to be "eloquent" in speaking...take a speech class.

what is it with all the sailors on NS? have I gotten that lazy that I'm spending time on naval boards :p

I plan to go to the Naval Academy. I will command the sailors, not be one.

Have lots of money, get pampered every day of your life and have women dieing for you.
Or you make out you're the poor man speaking out thing like Hitler, just become passionate about what you do.
But mostly money will win it for you, unless you're really serious or insane.

After listening to a few speeches of politicians (especially U.S. Senator Barrack Obama), I got to wondering:

How is one able to let their thoughts flow in such an eloquent way?

Although it may seem a long shot away, I desire to get into politics after a service in the U.S. Navy. Obviously, the ability to convey your thoughts is a major requirement. Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X couldn't have made any impact in United States Civil Rights if they were a bore during speeches.

Does anyone have any tips for achieving the amount of persuasiveness of many influential people? Does anyone have any examples or anything that can help me out?

hire a good speech writer.

but if you want to write your own... you need
1) Passion. you need to truely feel for what you are speaking for/about.
2) Belief. Similar to Passion, you need to also believe what you are saying.
3) know your audience. very important.
4) Play to your strengths.
5) practice, practice, practice
6) *VERY IMPORTANT* KISS. (Keep It Simple & Short)