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| Our friend on the White House staff! |
Today I had the amazing opportunity to volunteer at President Obama’s speech in Rec. Hall at Penn State. After squeezing people into their seats, I got to stand on the floor and listen to the President talk about investing in innovation. I left feeling inspired, which surprises me. I have previously admitted that I am not too interested in politics.
How did Obama make me interested in his speech???
Obviously, there is no surprise that the President of the United States is an excellent public speaker.
Obama knows his audience, his rhetorical audience. His audience is capable of being influenced and bringing about change, and that’s what he wants…Change.
Before getting into the heart of his speech, “You understand that it’s not going to be a cake walk, this competition for the future. Which means, all of us are going to have to up our game,” Obama talked about something college kids love to talk about…football. He referenced the upcoming Super Bowl and Pennsylvania’s Steelers while also recognizing that some of his audience was Eagles fans. In the middle of his speech, he even brought up something Penn State is extremely proud of, Joe Paterno and his 400+ wins. Knowing what kids care about, he wasn’t afraid to use football to get the crowd excited and interested in what he had to say.
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Obama also called on the young people at Penn State specifically. Penn State’s motto is “Making life better.” (Don’t worry. I didn’t know that before today either.) So as Penn State students, we should strive to make life better. While Obama’s message is for all of America, especially the youth, standing in that room it sure didn’t feel that way. Obama continually said things like, “here at Penn State,” and called on Penn State students directly. Obama was talking to me (and 40,000 others). He made me feel like it was my job to make the difference, to make the change. Obama was able to keep me interested in a speech I normally wouldn’t care much about. The President knows his audience.
The Exigency-
- President Obama
I like how you mention the exigency of the speech. It is definitely appropriate considering we just learned the term in class and then President Obama embodied the term just a few days later in his speech on campus. Obama is a pro at calling the citizens of his country to action.
ReplyDeleteYou tied The President's speech in nicely with information we learned in class. You relayed his message nicely about the importance of future efficiency and innovation.
ReplyDeletePS: Nice picture with Michael!
Before I comment on your blog, I just want to say that I'm really jealous! Your blog clearly shows that you were truly inspired by Obama's speech. I agree with you that the president is an excellent public speaker. As Sandra already notes, I also like how you add the exigency of his speech- right on! I guess to become an outstanding public speaker like Obama, we have to learn how to capture our audience's attention. Whether it be about football or our school spirit!
ReplyDeleteI would have loved to hear Obama speak. Obviously he knows how to really connect with an audience, as evidenced by his references to football. These specific references keep the focus on Penn State and really call us to action.
ReplyDeleteJust like I wrote for Sandra and Ben, I'm so glad that you got to attend, Liz!
ReplyDeleteNice job tying this into the concept of exigence. Clearly there is a call to act, a problem that needs discourse to be resolved, and you were there to witness a message crafted as a response to exigence. Nice application!