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One of the most important aspects of being a successful politician is delivering effective speeches. Many politicians gathered for the Democratic National Convention which is a time for democratic politicians and voters to unify their goals and provide support for the party’s presidential nominees. Let’s take a look at some of the speeches delivered by politicians at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
- Kamala Harris is the current vice president and Democratic presidential nominee for the 2024 election. She specifically uses personal anecdotes about her experience growing up in the middle class with her single mom. By emphasizing her background, she was able to emotionally appeal to the audience, making them more receptive to her message. Her delivery was also confident and she paused to emphasize key ideas. Overall, her speaking style was engaging and powerful.
- Hillary Clinton is a former secretary of state, senator, first lady and Democratic presidential nominee. She maintained a composed demeanor throughout her speech by maintaining clear pacing and tone. She paused for the audience after important points in her speech and maintained a calm tone of voice. Also, her body language was minimal but purposeful. She used hand motions to emphasize certain parts of her speech. Her speaking style was controlled but authoritative.
- Barack Obama is the former president of the US. He served as the 44th president from 2009 to 2017. His speaking style at the 2024 DNC was confident, and calm. He is known for being an excellent public speaker. Obama’s word choice was thoughtful, often using “we” and “us” to create a sense of shared purpose and unity. Inclusive language connects the audience with the speaker. Furthermore, his delivery was conversational yet formal, balancing optimism and reassurance with a serious call to action.
- Pete Buttigieg is the 19th United States secretary of transportation. He delivered his speech with a calm demeanor. His tone was deliberate, and his gestures were controlled. This has led to some praising Buttigieg for his poise and maturity, while others have said that his restrained style didn’t energize the crowd. His thoughtful approach conveyed a deep understanding of the issues but it didn’t ignite the response needed to energize a crowd of supporters. Nonetheless, his composed expression and delivery created an effective speech.
- Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez or AOC is a representative for New York’s 14th district. She has been serving since 2019. AOC speaks with conviction and intensity, using a strong, emotional tone to highlight her stance on certain policies. Her speech feels both urgent and personal. She uses repetition of phrases like, “Kamala Harris is for you,” to encourage the middle class to support the Democratic nominee. Her body language was also dynamic, with expressive hand gestures that matched the urgency of her words. Overall, her speaking style was passionate and animated.
Michelle Obama is the former first lady of the United States and the wife of former president, Barack Obama. She is known for being a talented public speaker and spoke at this year’s DNC.
One of the key things Obama does in her speech is utilize body language. Her movements were dynamic and expressive, using purposeful hand gestures to emphasize key points, while maintaining a calm and open posture that communicated warmth and authenticity. For example, Obama endorses Kamala Harris’ bid for office and calls her “one of the most qualified people to ever seek the office”, punctuating each word with a movement of her hands. She also made frequent eye contact with the audience while nodding and smiling at their cheering. Her subtle yet purposeful body language helped draw the audience into her speech.
Her pacing was meticulously controlled, using deliberate pauses that allowed her words to land and resonate. These pauses created moments of reflection, helping the audience absorb her message more deeply. She also adjusted her pacing at key emotional moments, slowing down to highlight personal stories and speeding up to inspire urgency around the importance of civic engagement and voting.
Michelle Obama has always excelled at storytelling and weaving personal anecdotes into her speeches. She shared personal experiences that highlighted both her own journey and the broader struggles of ordinary Americans. For example, she shares stories about her mother who recently passed away and draws that into her endorsement for Kamala Harris. These stories added emotional depth and relatability to her message, helping her connect with the audience on a personal level. Her use of vivid, simple language made her message accessible, while her personal anecdotes provided a bridge between her own life and the concerns of everyday Americans.
Overall, her warm yet authoritative speaking style left a lasting impression on her audience. By combining confident body language, controlled pacing, and compelling stories, Michelle Obama once again demonstrated her ability to communicate effectively and inspire.