Now much attention is paid to the study of gender linguistics. A special interest is given to peculiarities and differences in mens and womens public speeches. There is an opinion that women should not be engaged in politics and this sphere is exclusively the mens occupation. However, many women have made a real progress in politics. Hilary Clinton and Oprah Winfrey are among them. Moreover, speeches given by these outstanding women are worth mentioning.
One of the most famous speeches of Hilary Clinton is her public speaking on the United Nations Fourth World Conference of Women. The main topic of the speech is the problem of womens rights violation. During her speech, Clinton also brings up a concern of the gender discrimination and this sub-topic is relevant to the main theme. Hilarys speech is highly motivating. She emphasizes the fact that a welfare of society depends on a welfare of women.
This speech is well organized structurally. It consists of introduction, in which Hilary represents the problem, main body and conclusion.
The motivational power of speech is achieved by the use of repeated phrases, such as “their families will flourish” (First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Remarks to the Fourth Women’s Conference in Beijing, China). Moreover, Hilary describes her personal experience in communicating with women facing different problems.
It is understood that this speech has been prepared before and during her speaking, Hilary reads from her notes. At the same time, all the words are clearly articulated and spoken in a loud voice. The pauses made by Hilary correspond to the logical structure of the speech.
It is possible to say that the orator has succeeded in establishing contact with the audience. Her arguments are rather persuasive to draw the audience attention.
Because of the fact that it is the official speech, the body language of the orator is rather poor. It is represented mainly with the movements of her head, but the aim of these movements is to establish a visual contact with the audience.
The dressing style of the orator is official and it fits to the general character of the speech.
The three main components of speech, such a logos, ethos and pathos are rationally used by Hilary. “Over the past 25 years, I have worked persistently on issues relating to women, children, and families” (First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Remarks to the Fourth Women’s Conference in Beijing, China). In such a way, Hilary appeals to her personal experience giving her speech the additional credibility. Appealing to logos, Hilary states that humans rights are the same as womens rights. To emphasize the importance of the problem and to arouse the emotions of the audience Hilary uses such stylistic mean as anaphora, for instant the constant repetition of the phrase “it is a violation of human rights” (First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Remarks to the Fourth Women’s Conference in Beijing, China).
Another prominent orator, which is worth mentioning, is Oprah Winfrey. In her motivational speech at The Hollywood Reporters she reveals the problem of womens place in society. During her speech, she unlocks the secrets of her success and gives guidance to women.
The speech is rather informal, but at the same time, the introduction, the main body and the conclusion may be distinguished.
The speech is very powerful form the motivational point of view. Oprah gives examples from her personal experience. The main idea of her speech is that a woman has to be strong. This idea is emphasized by such repetition as “time string-time strength” (Oprah Winfrey’s Motivational Speech at THR’s Women in Entertainment Breakfast). Moreover, the orator is constantly joking.
The speech is rather distinct and the orator does not use any notes while speaking. The contact with the audience is supported by means of jokes. Moreover, from time to time Oprah talks to her friends from the audience.
The body languages is very rich. It includes gestures and different movements emphasizing the meaning of her words. The dressing style is rather strict, but informal.
While appealing to logos Oprah states that women are always women and they have to gain benefits from their womanhood. As ethos the orator gives, the examples form her personal experience. Moreover, the author succeeds in arousing good emotion from the audience by making them proud of the fact of being women As Oprah states it “making us all proud to spell our name –woman” (Oprah Winfrey’s Motivational Speech at THR’s Women in Entertainment Breakfast).
Reference List
First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Remarks to the Fourth Women’s Conference in Beijing, China [Video file]. Web.
Oprah Winfrey’s Motivational Speech at THR’s Women in Entertainment Breakfast. Web.