Consider a well-known speaker, for example, the current President of the United States. What is the speaker's strongest characteristics as a speaker? Is it credibility, attractiveness, power or all three? In what ways could the speaker build ethos in these areas?
President Obama is an inspiring speaker and person. He has the power to make a majority of people (not just U.S. citizens, but also citizens of the world) do what ever he calls for. We are so lucky as a planet that he uses this skill and blessing for good and not evil.
An example of this is the day before the inauguration (MLK day). He made a call to action to all U.S. citizens asking them to use the day as a day of volunteerism. How successful was this call he made in multiple speeches? Well more then one place I called to volunteer at had to turn me away because they had TOO MANY volunteers. When I hear them say this there was only one way for me to react... "wow!" Now that is impressive.
But how does he accomplish this? I believe he uses his credibility, his attractiveness, and also his power. But what I think comes most naturally for him and peopel most recognize in him is his CREDIBILITY.
After college he could have become a corporate lawyer and made tons of money, this would definitely have helped him pay off his student loans off a lot faster. But he didn't. Instead he gave himself to the community. This (at least for me, and many people I have spoken to) gives him a lot more credibility in my eyes, he obviously cares about the well being of people, communities, and most importantly, the United States.
As for ethos...he definitely has that covered.
Until next time,
ImaginePeace
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I agree with your view on what makes President Obama the speaker he is. It all starts with the type of person the speaker is and in this case, President Obama is person with nothing but good intentions.
ReplyDeleteThe audience is smart, and we can read a speaker within a few minutes and thus determine if we like them or not not.
I also like the example you listed as far as his career choice after law school. Instead of falling into the corporate world, he dedicated himself to the community. I thought it was hillarious that President Obama was actually poked fun at for working for the people and not taking the corporate money.
He has a great charisma about him which makes most people fall in love with him everytime he is on that podium.