fbpx

This techniques make Michelle Obama stand out as a speaker

 In Delivery

In his recent blog post Charles Krauthammer gives an incisive and witty commentary on Michelle Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention. Here’s the link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/post/the-dnc-scorecard-so-far/2012/09/06/706f1396-f85e-11e1-8398-0327ab83ab91_blog.html

It also includes Krauthammer’s analysis of other speakers at the Convention.

I gave Mrs. Obama a 9.5/10 for her word usage, voice, face and body language. Overall, Obama’s delivery was a great example of ‘Perceived authenticity and passion sells’. It sold herself and her message very well. The speech clip is below.

The things she did well included:

–          Beginning her speaking with low emotion, building to various points of high emotion and ending with a passionate crescendo.

–          Gestures, body movement and facial expression naturally paired with her words.

–          Repetitive and rhythmic phrasing. For example: “surely we can . . .surely we can” and “he’s the same man . . . he’s the same man.”

–          Projecting a strong physical presence and posture while ‘owning’ and occupying the space in front of her body. Her well-toned biceps are impressive and add to her projection of confidence and certainty.

–          Her ‘near-crying’ near the end of the speech conveying deep emotion and feeling. (This aligns with Krauthammer’s ‘feigned stammer’ comment). Obama has an uncanny knack of making this ‘near-crying’ genuine (ie. Not overplaying it into cheesiness).

Only when she started clipping her ‘ing words (eg. “Sacrificin’, gettin’ up”) did any hint of phoniness creep into her speaking.

 

 

 

 

 

Recent Posts

Leave a Comment

Subscribe to Behind the Voice

Regular insights, guidance and commentary on how communication influences business and the world around us

Thank you for subscribing