The purpose of the Dallas Labor Speaker's Bureau is to motivate our members and allies to take action. The action may be anything, but it nearly always includes signing up for something. True, speakers disseminate information, but information abounds everywhere already. What the progressive movement needs is direction and personal motivation! That's what our speakers can do that can't be done otherwise! To volunteer as a speaker or to help organize a speaking gig in your meeting or organization, contact genelantz.dallasaflcio@gmail.com.
What is Rhetoric?
Rhetoric is not the content of one's speeches. It is about the delivery. But if the speaker does not have something important to say, and does not personally believe in it strongly, good rhetoric is worse than useless. But an accomplished speaker who believes in his/her message can change history. Hitler is an example, but his video was thought to be too controversial. Watch some of this video of a very convincing American labor speaker:
The other videos are longer, so feel free to skip around in them.
A great labor speaker of history was Eugene Victor Debs. Here's a version of one of his famous short speeches delivered by an actor:
Classical Rhetoric is as Old as History
Here's a 9-minute lesson on classical rhetorical devices: https://youtu.be/bh6P0iw2k30.
How can you use ethos, pathos, and logos in your next presentation?
Great Speakers Harmonize with Their Audience
Take a short look at these great speakers from the civil rights movement and notice how they are not simply speaking AT their audiences, but sharing the experience WITH them:
https://youtu.be/vP4iY1TtS3s Dr King, often recognized as the greatest American rhetoritician, knew the tremendous importance of his first and last sentences. People may not remember the content of this speech, but lots of us can quote the ending!
https://youtu.be/sNhQ1pm-ooc. Some of our greatest rhetoric comes from the civil rights movement because many of the best leaders were also preachers. Malcolm X didn't have that training, but he was terrific!
Folksy, Humorous Deliveries Work for Some Speakers
Starting with the best: Governor Ann Richards of Texas telling the turkey story: https://youtu.be/6XUpqVcJRUk
Will Rogers ruled the radio airwaves in his day: https://youtu.be/sKxaqK2ggc
Jim Hightower is the best of the living Texas folk-speakers: https://youtu.be/JADzUGHBRj0. He is a master of rhythm, repetition, rhyme, and humor to win over his audience and make his point.. Note how his outfit, with the big cowboy hat, contributes to his delivery.
You May Use Your Whole Body, Not Just Your Mouth
https://youtu.be/hiSfK5QrlMo Note how this large bearded male uses his entire body for emphasis. It is especially effective when he bends his knees. Here's another one: https://youtu.be/ch45FNNAOQY
Labor Audiences Love to Participate
In motivational speeches to labor audiences, one can hardly go wrong by starting with a chant or anything with an audience response. An easy one is to say, with increasing intensity: "I say union you say power. I say union you say power. I say union, you say power: Power -- Power -- Power!" I've never seen a labor audience that didn't joyfull join in!
Show Your Commitment, No Matter How You Do it
Michele and Barack Obama relied on erudition and dignity, not a bag of tricks, to be effective: https://youtu.be/zGeab3CDLek
These are some speeches by actors in movies. https://youtu.be/KsdS--DfqMU. All great speakers don't snarl, shout, and do contortions. If you skip to 17:59, you may note how Charley Chaplin, an absolute master of physical communication, gathers in his audience and makes his point while barely moving or raising his voice! (Until, of course, he gets to his smash ending)
Use what you have to motivate. It isn't the same for everyone. It may be size, agility, voice, dignity, youth, old age, fashion sense, credibility, newness, scars or tattoos; but every sincere speaker can motivate others.
Learning Calls Out for Action!
As I said in the first paragraph, we don't need only information. We need action. Write or find a few lines for yourself, get in front of a full-length mirror, and try out these ideas, please!
Help labor find audiences! Become one of our speakers! Contact genelantz.dallasaflcio@gmail.com