A Master Class in Public Speaking

Want to see and learn from exceptional speakers? Watch a political convention.

Tuesday night's DNC was a master class in all aspects of the art of oration: storytelling, genuineness, inspiration, rhetorical devices, straight-forwardness, perfectly timed humor, body language, pausing, acting, asking, giving, and persuasion.

It was fun and interesting to watch, especially for a public speaking geek like me.

Sure, there were moments that were too loud, corny, cranky, aggressive, or bland. But those moments were few and far between, especially given the number of speakers and the length of the program.?You've probably already forgotten any mistakes that were made, because that's the nature of live events.

There's no rewind in the moment. Good speakers don't get flustered; they just carry on.

Plus, if you're like me, you learn what doesn't work and what you don't want to do from watching other people fumble. And you have compassion for them—for nerves, glitches, and jokes that fall flat. We've all had those moments. And we learn to just carry on.

That said, the Obama's were flawless.

They've been at this for a long time. As speakers, they trust their skills. They are writers who know the value of editing. And most importantly, they are successful because they understand the value—the need—for practice.

Public speaking, on any level, is a learned skill.

I was most impressed by Michelle. She has improved so much! (Compare and contrast the videos below to fully appreciate the transformation.)

She blew me away with her focus, honesty, intensity, and stories, which were exceptional. You could see her processing anger, grief, fear, and hope, but she didn't yell or cry. Her goal was to kick the audience into action mode, and she succeeded.

Both she and her husband had the audience in the palm of their hands

There is great power in being an extraordinary speaker. I believe that with that power comes responsibility. Mercifully, they wield that power for good rather than evil. They are working on the global stage, and they take their responsibility seriously. Their content and delivery were thoughtful, nuanced, and spot-on.

As I say, a master class.

The Obama's, Hillary, Joe Biden in his heyday, and last night's surprise visitor, Oprah, speak on a different level from the rest of us.

On night number two, my pick for the speaker most appropriate for people like me, and probably you, to study was Doug Emhoff, Kamala Harris's husband, also known as the Second Gentlemen.

He was so relatable. So natural. So authentic. I suspect he engendered trust in most viewers simply by being Doug. (Can I be cheeky and call him that?)

He laughed, used the right amount of self-deprecation, and told some great romantic and relatable stories. Emhoff also honored (and teased) his mother; he didn’t try to hide or downplay his faith, nor did he try to come across as particularly devout.?He was incredibly proud of his wife and children, and that came shining through.

Doug didn't take himself too seriously. He knew that his speech was important, but he maintained a sense of perspective. His was not the most important speech of the night. The fate of the free world did not rest on his shoulders.?

He had a goal: to introduce himself and tell us how he met and fell in love with his wife. To explain why he fell in love with Kamala and why we should too.

He shared how, despite their careers, the children’s mental, physical, and spiritual health and safety came first.?He even gave a shout out to his former wife, who was sitting in the family box, smiling. Theater, yes, but not fiction.

Personal stories that are appropriate for the audience and that a speaker is comfortable sharing can endear them to the listener. A speaker's vulnerabilities and foibles, when shared with appropriate pride and humility, connect them to the audience in a symbiotic way.

A nod to a totally different but equally successful delivery has to go out to Pete Buttigieg, who spoke last night. He was even and unflustered, yet he exuded enthusiasm. He used a bit of humor, told stories, and spoke from the heart. He wasn't too loud, didn't laugh heartily, or gesticulate broadly. He was himself. Amicable, articulate, and accessible, his message was easily grasped.

Which is saying something. Because watching excellent speakers can be distracting. It’s easy to miss the message when the magic of rhetoric, charisma, and theater is at play.?

All the speakers used the tried and true tools of the trade to reinforce their points: repetition, alliteration, triads, well-chosen cultural allusions, vocal variety, facial animation, body language as visual aids (nudge, nudge, wink, wink! ), real visual aids, humor, sarcasm, irony, gratitude, storytelling—and repetition.

Emhoff surprised and delighted with his genuine niceness (or, as a friend wrote, "he’s a real mensch").?

Coach Tim Walz and Mayor Pete Buttigieg seem nice too. And they were just right for the moment.

Even the Carter and Kennedy grandsons were interesting to watch. They were measured and brave. They were filled with pride in their grandfathers and concern for their (and, by extension, our) futures. The desire to be of service gave these young men the courage to stand before a roaring crowd of 23,500.?

And the Obama's were the Obama's. Arguably the best orators in the country.

I watch political speeches, especially events like this, with pride and awe.

The sound systems work, the videos are smoothly integrated, the lighting is on target, and the cameras are in the right place at the right time. There is precision and flow.

The choreography of handling a huge show like a political convention, the Olympics, or even the Oscars is hard for us laypeople to comprehend. The years of practice and effort on the part of hundreds of people is the magic.?

Yet in the moment, it all boils down to two people: the speaker and the listener.

It’s still just you and me watching, listening, and reacting to the thoughts, words, and experiences of another human being.

Public speaking is an incredibly important and historic art form. So much has changed since the advent of the printing press, radio, and television.?And now we can go back and watch the best speeches and study how they are crafted and delivered. (I've included some links below if you're interested.).

I’m proud to help carry on the tradition by helping people be authentic and effective when they have to present. In fact, I try to help them want to present. I encourage them to share their knowledge, wisdom, and message with a generous spirit and a joyful demeanor in the service of others.

Leora Dowling

Speakers referenced in the article above.

Michelle 2024 (20:40): https://youtu.be/YgJBFBwRXvc?si=AN4rkkIldulqYHvj

Michelle 2008 (21:00) https://youtu.be/790hG6qBPx0?si=vcsaJWz37pl0DRha

Doug (13:23): https://youtu.be/-k5VoIK8pCY?si=XKlxsp3_atoiNZZi

Oprah (15:07): https://youtu.be/ibOYKC3blHY?si=-9WaBrNr0S1byXEs

Mayor Pete (8:30): https://youtu.be/R3ODmqYE328?si=UmU5nwZSdA2FXJdt

Coach Walz (15:56): https://youtu.be/0TRmjgAUkh0?si=dzMpFtS8V_ftWCJw

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