Analyzing Modern and Historic Speeches: A Comparative Analysis

This report provides an analysis of two speeches, one by Baratunde Thurston and the other by Nelson Mandela, both addressing the theme of racism. The analysis explores various aspects of public speaking, including the use of humor, organization of content, language, body language, and the speaker's persona. The report compares and contrasts the two speeches, highlighting the different communication strategies employed by each speaker. It examines how each speaker engages the audience, the effectiveness of their verbal and non-verbal communication, and their use of emotional and motivational strategies. The report concludes that both speakers delivered effective speeches, but they differed in their content, style, and delivery, and that Mandela's speech, despite its more formal delivery, had a greater impact. The report references academic sources to support its claims.

Running head: MODERN AND HISTORIC SPEECHES
MODERN AND HISTORIC SPEECHES
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

1MODERN AND HISTORIC SPEECHES
Introduction
Delivering speech in an effective manner depends on the adoption of the right languages,
right posture and body language in a systematic and organized manner. The choice of the two
speakers is made on the basis of the similar thread of issue, racism. The aim of the report is to
understand and evaluate the speeches on the bass of certain parameters.
Discussion
The speech starts with the use of humour important for drawing the attention of the audience.
This helps the speaker to engage with the audience since they can connect to him in a greater
way. The themes of the discussion revolve around the idea of racism and deconstruction of
the same. Organisation of the speech is meticulous and dos with utmost care, this helps the
audience to follow speech in a chronological manner. He explores the serious tone of the
issue with humour and clearly conveys the message to the audience. The content of the
speech revolves around the persecution of the black Africans in different parts of the world. It
highlights the issue of white supremacy and the system of structural change that favours the
white over the black. In comparison to the first speech by Bartunde Thurston, the second
speech is delivered by the Nelson Mandela in 1994. This speech is based in the pretext of the
opening ceremony of the Presidenship(Thurston, 2019). The content of the speech is a clear
indication of the values of non-racialism, non-sexism and trust in democracy. The speaker is
also an engaging orator who brings the ideas of existing values of the land. The structure of
the speech is designed in a way that is simple and easy for the audience to follow. However
in terms of engagement with the audience, the first speech is more engaging for the audience
while the second speech delivered is monotonous in tone. The languages used for the first
speech and the second speech are different, while the first one has number of political

2MODERN AND HISTORIC SPEECHES
jargons while the second is simple and lucid. It is more easy to follow the second speech
since it is clear and comprehensive. If body language of the speaker is considered, it is to be
mentioned that Thurston has the body language of an effective speaker which includes the
movement of hands, body languages and direct eye contact. While on the other hand, in case
of Mr Mandela, the speech is more of reading out the written script which does not include
proper eye contact or facing the audience (YouTube, 2019). This is one of the reasons for the
monotonous flow of the speech. The verbal and non-verbal communication is the total part of
any speech which is being obstructed in the second case due to the nature of the occasion
and the nature of the speech(Burgoon et al., 2016). If we take into consideration of the use of
persona, Mandela has the enigmatic personality to draw the attention of the audience in an
effortless manner while for Bartunde, he makes the extra effort for drawing the attention of
the audience to the content of the speech. Some of the memorable highlights of the speech
are: the significance of discussing the issue of racism, the idea of deconstruction of the topic
and the instances of atrocities on the black people by the white people for the second speech,
while for the first speech, it was he sacrifices made by the people for the country along with
the message of bringing the light of a nation free from injustice based on racism. Another
insight of the speech was the quotation used by Mandela that promises to keep the country
out of the ill effects of racism(Adler et al., 2016). This is to bring the country, the message of
freedom and the emancipation of every African.
When it comes to the application of proper emotional strategies to draw the attention of the
audiences, the first speaker, Mandela implants more of a logic based approach for the
addressing the people. In case of the second case of the speaker, he brings out drawing up
the idea of emotion and targets the audience by understanding the demand. It is crucial to
understand the ways of motivating the audience by targeting the five layers of their need.
According to the Maslow’s theory of motivation, it is self-actualisation, esteem, social, safety

3MODERN AND HISTORIC SPEECHES
and psychological needs of the individuals. In this case, understanding the psychological
need of the audience is the key to keep them motivated throughout the speech, while for the
first case, Mandela brings out the words of motivation for the audience by making the effort
to make Africa a democratic country with the vision of creating a racism free society. While
in case of the second speaker, the idea remains centred to the deconstruction of the meaning
of racism and does not indulge in promises and pledges. Irrespective of being highly
effective in body language in both verbal and non-verbal communication, Mandela’s
speech seems to have had greater impact on the audience in the digital and non-digital media.
Eve after the 25 years, this speech continues to be one of the most inspiring motivating force
for the blacks all around the second speech, it is a piece of information that brings out new
ideas of deconstructing racism in the world stage.
Conclusion
This is to be concluded at this juncture that public speaking and delivering the speech is an
art that requires the undertaking of number of skills including verbal and non-verbal
communication. It is the presentation of the content based on research which is organized,
outlined and practiced that can cater to the interest of the audience till it continues. It
depends on the adoption of the rhetoric style and the persona of the individual. In the above
mentioned topic, both of the speakers have delivered it in the best possible manner however
what distinguishes them both is the matter, content, style of delivery, use of simple and lucid
language along with body language of the individuals.

4MODERN AND HISTORIC SPEECHES
Reference
Thurston, B. (2019). How to deconstruct racism, one headline at a time. [online] Ted.com.
Available at:
https://www.ted.com/talks/baratunde_thurston_how_to_deconstruct_racism_one_headline_at
_a_time [Accessed 11 Jul. 2019].
YouTube. (2019). President Nelson Mandela Inauguration Speech May 10, 1994. [online]
Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJiXu4q__VU [Accessed 11 Jul. 2019].
Burgoon, J. K., Guerrero, L. K., & Floyd, K. (2016). Nonverbal communication. Routledge.
Adler, R. B., Rodman, G. R., & Du Pré, A. (2016). Understanding human
communication (Vol. 10). Oxford University Press.