I have been influenced by many speakers and the most influential one have shared some of same qualities and skill sets. I can't pick a favorite speaker because I think everyone is different and influential in their own ways. One speaker that I heard recently that was amazing was a man named Bill Wilson. He lives in the hardest, roughest, most crime ridden ghetto in New York. He built one of the largest Sunday schools in the world and he councils hundreds of children. He's been shot in the face, beaten with bricks, but yet he refuses to leave the cities children to fall victim to drugs and gang life.
Wilson had a very influential way of speaking. He was not willing to sugarcoat any of his experiences because he wanted his listeners to know exactly what he went through. He was well informed about the plight of city children and it showed. He also did an amazing job of persuading his audience to want to make change in their world.
I can't think of a specific speaker who was so horribly bad, but what I've noticed of some less influential speakers is that they all have some shared characteristics. Some are not fully knowledgeable about the topic they are speaking on and that is definitely apparent to most audiences. I think most bad speakers I've seen are people who are not familiar with speaking in public. I think it takes some time to get comfortable talking in front of people and the most influential speakers are confident ones.
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It seems that you enjoyed being a member of the audience with Mr. Wilson as the speaker. From your description his speaking technique stems from a community approach. The fact that he described so many physical abuses and how he refuses to leave the children that need his help demonstrates not only a community focus but building community which is a social function of rhetoric (Trenholm, pg. 252). His speaking technique, from your description, and the scenario of his plight focused on all three dimensions of attitude in the mind of the audience members. It sounds like it was a really interesting speech one that would inspire you to want to get involved.
ReplyDeleteYou also commented on the not so good speakers. I have to concur people who speak about topics they know nothing about do not capture the audience’s attention. I also have to agree that it is noticeable when the speaker is not comfortable in front of a crowd and it affects the audience’s attention.
Hello CGH! It sounds like Bill Wilson has had some amazing (and hard at times) experiences. I wonder, what specifically was it about him that was persuasive? Was it the way he spoke? What he spoke about? A combination of a number of things? What specific qualities about bad or sub-par speakers have you noticed?
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