Analyzing Bill Clinton's Speech: Rhetorical Strategies at the DNC 2012

This report provides an analysis of Bill Clinton's speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. The report examines the techniques used by Clinton, focusing on his use of visual aids, such as hand gestures and the use of people as visual tools, and his use of language. The analysis highlights how Clinton employed these techniques to persuade the audience and support Barack Obama's presidential bid. The report also references sources like Fast Company and The New York Times, to support the analysis. Overall, the report emphasizes the effectiveness of Clinton's speech in engaging the audience and conveying his message.

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Speech analysis
Speaker: President Bill Clinton
Topic: The power of a hug speech delivered Democratic National Convention
This was a speech delivered by President Bill Clinton on September 2012 at a democratic
national convention in a bid to nominate Barrack Obama as the next president of the
united states of America. In the longest part of the speech, president bill Clinton majored
in praising Barrack Obama and states why he felt he was the best candidate for the
nomination. All through and in between his speech, it could be noticed that the audience
was involved and were really enjoying every single moment of his speech due to the
continuous and overwhelming applause that followed every of his pause. From a speech
analysis point of view, this can be attributed to some of the speech techniques that this
leader is known to use in his speech delivery. Bill Clinton used language and visual aids
techniques to deliver his speeches.
Visual Aids
Bill Clinton is known to use a simple visual aid tool but a that ends being effective in his
speeches. He used his hands and gestures as a visual aid. (Harrison 2) he used his hands

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to get the audience attention as well as relaying certain images about Obama and the
prosperity of the United States of America and more so the economy and innovation. He
used wide and open arms as a simple visual aid to guide his audience emotion and
attention as well. Many are the times, in the course of his speech delivery, he extended
his hands with palms facing up or out or simple of a single figure to show “one”. “Let me
ask you something [palms up] …” or “Folks, this is serious [palms out] …”
He also used people as visual aid tool. He used Obama and his wife Michele Obama and
this helped him pass out a message to his audience effectively. “And by the way, after
last night, I want a man who had the good sense to marry Michelle Obama.” (Cheers,
applause.) (Lizza 7). Moreover, the overlapping of his hands in his chest reinforce that
what is talking is personal to him. He used his fingers as pointers, e.g. And I hope you
and every American remembers…” (Harrison 2)
Lastly, he used handouts in his speech, though not effectively since he did not issue them
to his audience after the speech. Only relevant parties like the media could trace the
handouts.
Language
Bill Clinton used simple, positive and persuasive language all through his speech. He
accurately uses correct words since his aim is persuade his audience to support Barrack
Obama for his bid in US presidency. He is reflective when he compares his reign of
leadership, those who led the stated before and him and how Obama has done it for just 4
years.
Works Cited

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Harrison, Sam. "3 Techniques Bill Clinton Uses To Wow An Audience." 6 September 2012. Fast
company newsletter. online. 16 May 2018. <https://www.fastcompany.com/3001087/3-
techniques-bill-clinton-uses-wow-audience>.
Lizza, Ryan. "the anatomy of Bill Clinton speech at the democratic national convention." 5 May 2012.
the new york times. online. 16 May 2018.