NOTE: In the last year, any discussion related to politics became a source of contention. Unfortunately, I allowed this to impact the subjects of my writing about speech and public speaking. It kept me from sharing insight that could be helpful about the communication skills of political candidates.
This was a mistake. Avoiding controversial topics because of fear of backlash kills open and honest discussion. It’s kept too many people from sharing ideas. This keeps us from learning or seeing the world differently.
With this in mind, you’ll read observations about President Trump’s Inaugural Speech. None of these are political statements. They’re a review of his style and some speaking tools he used within the speech.
Speaking Skills You Can Learn From an Inaugural Speech
What Can You Learn About Speaking From President Trump’s Inaugural Speech?
President Trump’s inaugural speech was the shortest in 40 years. This is good form. Shorter speeches tend to have more impact.
If you watch TED talks, you know they’re typically limited to 18 minutes. This is no accident. That’s the point at which audience attention begins to wane.
As one reporter wrote, the brevity of the speech didn’t hide the tone. President Trump clearly isn’t shy, and his speech demonstrated this. He wasn’t poetic or flowery – his message was direct.
He also was consistent with his message. In many ways, the inaugural address took on the same tone and substance of his campaign speeches.
What struck me most was the rhythm of the inaugural speech. It kept moving forward, not bogged down in too many supporting examples.
The Rule of Three
The most obvious tool the President used to do this was the Rule of Three. There were eleven examples of this. For instance:
1. “We stand at the birth of a new millennium, ready to unlock the mysteries of space, to free the earth from the miseries of disease, and to harness the energies, industries and technologies of tomorrow.”
2. “Americans want great schools for their children, safe neighborhoods for their families, and good jobs for themselves.”
The Rule of Three allows you to use enough supporting examples for your point. You can then move on to your next idea.
Repetition Within Sentences
The second example of three also demonstrates the use of mesodiplosis. This is the repetition of the same word(s) in the middle of successive sentences.
“Americans want great schools for their children, safe neighborhoods for their families, and good jobs for themselves.”
The word ‘for’ in this sentence creates emphasis on the people who are the object of the President’s point.
Repetition To Begin Your Sentences
Another type of repetition was the use of anaphora. This is repeating the same word(s) at the beginning of successive sentences.
The President used this tool with the words “We will bring back our….”
“We will bring back our jobs. We will bring back our borders. We will bring back our wealth. And we will bring back our dreams.”
This also creates a rhythm within a speech. It emphasizes the subject at the end of each sentence. It reinforces the President’s belief of what will happen during his administration.
What You Can Learn From Political Speakers
These are three examples of speaking techniques commonly used in political speeches. They can make for a smoother delivery for the speaker, and keep the audience’s attention.
As the last year has proven, politics can be the most polarizing force in a society. If you want to improve your own speeches, set your emotions aside. Study the writing and delivery tools used by notable politicians.
These are opportunities to learn speaking skills that improve your communication. They can help you create speeches that impact the way your audiences Think, Feel or Act.
Recommended Resource
Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln: 21 Powerful Secrets of History’s Greatest Speakers
Ever wish you could captivate your boardroom with the opening line of your presentation?
Want to command attention by looming larger than life before your audience?
Now, you can master presentation skills, wow your audience, and quickly advance your career by unlocking the secrets of history’s greatest speakers.
The book Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln was written by James C. Humes. He was a speech writer for five American presidents. In this book, he shows you how great leaders through the ages used simple, yet incredibly effective tricks to speak, persuade, and win throngs of fans and followers.
You’ll discover how Napoleon Bonaparte mastered the use of the pregnant pause to grab attention. Read how Lady Margaret Thatcher punctuated her most serious speeches with the use of subtle props. Learn how Ronald Reagan could win even the most hostile crowd with carefully timed wit. And there’s much, much more.
Whether you’re addressing a small nation or a large staff meeting, you’ll want to master the tips and tricks in Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln, by James C. Humes.
"Michael transformed our everyday managers into conference presenters by coaching them and by challenging the traditional methods they were using to present. The outcome was phenomenal.
Our conference was elevated to a new level of professionalism. Michael will be retained to help make our trainers become better communicators, both visually and verbally and to assist us with next year’s conference. We highly recommend him and Speaking CPR to assist with your next event."
Robert Gerbus, President, Trans Ash, Inc.
Speaking CPR
5
2018-05-10T09:44:06-04:00
Robert Gerbus, President, Trans Ash, Inc.
"Michael transformed our everyday managers into conference presenters by coaching them and by challenging the traditional methods they were using to present. The outcome was phenomenal. Our conference was elevated to a new level of professionalism. Michael will be retained to help make our trainers become better communicators, both visually and verbally and to assist us with next year’s conference. We highly recommend him and Speaking CPR to assist with your next event."
“As a former Green Beret and professional storyteller, I give dozens of speeches every year. I am very selective about who trains me.
Michael Davis exceeded every expectation and was one of the best coaches I ever worked with. His quiet professionalism, and unsurpassed knowledge of storytelling helped make my Ted X Cincinnati talk extremely powerful. I would recommend Michael, as a story and speaking coach to anyone with a high stakes talk to give. Michael will help you take your speech from good to great!”
LTC (Ret.) Scott Mann, Green Beret, Storyteller, Trainer, Coach, Author
Speaking CPR
5
2018-05-10T09:45:38-04:00
LTC (Ret.) Scott Mann, Green Beret, Storyteller, Trainer, Coach, Author
“As a former Green Beret and professional storyteller, I give dozens of speeches every year. I am very selective about who trains me. Michael Davis exceeded every expectation and was one of the best coaches I ever worked with. His quiet professionalism, and unsurpassed knowledge of storytelling helped make my Ted X Cincinnati talk extremely powerful. I would recommend Michael, as a story and speaking coach to anyone with a high stakes talk to give. Michael will help you take your speech from good to great!”
“We are privileged to have Michael Davis of Speaking CPR as one of the Speaker Coaches for ourTED x Cincinnatievent. I had the opportunity to be on several of the calls with Michael as he worked his craft with his speakers.I was impressed with howgenuine, exuberant, and in touchhe was with each speaker.
He truly has agift in connecting with the heart of each personhe works with and helping them to unleash their story into their talk.All of the speakersraved about his work with them.Each of them has had broad experience in speaking, but they all felt that working with Michael raised the bar on their ability to speak. You can listen to all of his speakers, Anthony Munoz, Richard Bernstein and Graeme Joffe, at http://www.tedxcincinnati.com/talks/.”
Allison Wonders Gars Speaker Coach Manager, TED x Cincinnati
Speaking CPR
5
2018-03-20T17:08:04-04:00
Allison Wonders Gars Speaker Coach Manager, TED x Cincinnati
“We are privileged to have Michael Davis of Speaking CPR as one of the Speaker Coaches for our TED x Cincinnati event. I had the opportunity to be on several of the calls with Michael as he worked his craft with his speakers. I was impressed with how genuine, exuberant, and in touch he was with each speaker. He truly has a gift in connecting with the heart of each person he works with and helping them to unleash their story into their talk. All of the speakers raved about his work with them. Each of them has had broad experience in speaking, but they all felt that working with Michael raised the bar on their ability to speak. You can listen to all of his speakers, Anthony Munoz, Richard Bernstein and Graeme Joffe, at http://www.tedxcincinnati.com/talks/.”
“Investing in Michael is one of the best investments I have ever made. I speak on the subject of diversity in the workplace, which can at times be a difficult topic to discuss.
Michael taught me a repeatable process that allows me to create a foundational concept, a logical structure, an opening that grabs the audience’s attention, and a conclusion that encourages my audience to take action that will save them time and money.
I found Michael easy to work with, flexible with his schedule, and a wealth of information about the art of speaking. If you need to improve your presentation or speech, I highly recommend you consider hiring Michael. It is one of the best investments you can make in your own growth.”
Natalie Holder Founder, QUEST Diversity
Speaking CPR
5
2018-03-20T17:33:18-04:00
Natalie Holder Founder, QUEST Diversity
“Investing in Michael is one of the best investments I have ever made. I speak on the subject of diversity in the workplace, which can at times be a difficult topic to discuss. Michael taught me a repeatable process that allows me to create a foundational concept, a logical structure, an opening that grabs the audience’s attention, and a conclusion that encourages my audience to take action that will save them time and money. I found Michael easy to work with, flexible with his schedule, and a wealth of information about the art of speaking. If you need to improve your presentation or speech, I highly recommend you consider hiring Michael. It is one of the best investments you can make in your own growth.”
Michael’s mission is to help leaders, managers and sales professionals communicate with more confidence, impact, and influence. This passion is born from his own communication difficulties early in his career.
Fortunately, he discovered that public speaking is like riding a bike, swimming or driving a car - it’s a learnable skill. Once he discovered this ‘secret’ he became a voracious student of the craft. He took courses, studied some of the world’s best speakers and storytellers and continues to study presentation and business storytelling skills.
He is hired by companies and organizations, leaders, managers and sales professionals, and TEDx speakers to help them become more confident, impactful and influential communicators.
Address:
Phone: 
