Trump Inauguration Speech: To take or not to take away?
- Owen Lam
- Jan 27, 2017
- 3 min read
As the new president was sworn in on Friday, many people argue his speech didn't compare to previous presidents. But there's always a chance to learn from speeches in any context, and today, we're looking at what you should and should not takeaway from Trump's inauguration.
To Take Away
1. A cure for short attention span
Attention spans of the average human being are short, and the most important part of the speech is often believed to be its introduction. But just as important is the body as the speaker continues to deliver his content with ups and downs in tone and vocabulary.
Trump was smart to use vocabulary that enticed and awoke those otherwise not enjoying a boring speech. Examples included The People's President, a crucial conviction and his famous slogan "Make America Great Again".
2. Interacting with the audience - a marketing technique
In his speech, you'll see Trump acknowledges his role as President of the People by interacting with audiences and convincing them they have a role to play under his administration. Going into specifics, Trump mentions transfer of power from the rich and powerful one percent to the all of the US citizen because Trump’s administration is going to let the people run the country instead of the government running it.
Generating enthusiastic responses, Donald Trump is marketing himself as the Presiddent America is looking for…
3. Pace and Repetition
For those who watched the 16 min address, you'll notice Trump's use of pausing and slow pacing. Not to mention, repetition to get a consistent message into the minds of American people; that his campaign would make America Great Again.
With an essential goal of leaving a message in the minds of masses, the technique proves very useful in reaching targets.
Not To Take Away
1. Content in the right context
Trump had promised many changes to American politics while running for his campaign, many of which were reiterated at the inauguration ceremony. Speeches under the campaign were meant to attract his supporter base and gather votes. However, a Presidential speech comes with a different purpose.
Presidents come with thanks masses for support, while acknowledging the needs of the opposing party and encouraging discussion and mutual consensus, which wasn't seen in Trump's speech. Remember, when planning a speech, a formal versus informal question isn't the only one you ask yourself in understanding context.
2. Getting into the gist of gestures
As all of you probably know, Trump loves hand gestures, and you can see how passionate he is about it throughout his speech on Friday. Gestures if used effectively can deliver messages directly to the audience, increasing the speaker’s appeal and reliability. The main goal in delivering a speech is to let audiences connect and relate with you, to stand by your stance, hence something as insignificant as hand gestures still plays a part in his speech.
However Trump used extravagant gestures that was over excessive and a bit repetitive throughout which lowered the effectiveness. The usual ones where he pinched his fingers every time he tried to emphasize and exaggerate a point, or his favourite gestures of pointing his 2nd finger up or constantly making wiping gestures when talking about statistics and general facts. Seeing gestures as a tool for audience members to better understand your message, they shouldn't take attention away from you as a speaker when done excessively.
3. Positive Vibes missing
A common problem when discussing current issues in a problem solution speech is the imbalanced ratio of time spent on each. Human enjoyment for the act of complaining sees us focused on the problem and very often unbothered to look on the bright side, at the possibility of solutions.
The phenomenon reflected in Trump's speech, where he reiterated underlying problems such as immigration, terrorism and wealth disparity. Sharing solutions, his content may have met requirements, but many listeners didn't feel twinges of positivity, something that leaves audience members hopeful and inspired after listening to morning news and having faith that the next four years are going to be great.
What did you think of Trump's speech? Let us know in the comments below!
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