Memorandum

To: From: Date: Re: Mrs. Renee Pay Michael Park October 24, 2012 Professional Speaker Analysis

I had the opportunity to listen to Mitt Romney, the professional speaker and the Republican nominee for the President of the United States, at the Republican National Convention on October 3, 2012. Organization Romney was clear and concise with his rhetoric and had a clear grip on the thousands of people that made up the conventions audience. He presented the point of Obama not living up to the expectations that the country had of him when he was elected. The audience was in a motivational uproar. Then Romney said, If you felt that excitement when you voted for President Obama, shouldnt you feel that now that he is President? By this, the audience let out a hardy cheer accompanied by a mixture of laughs because many knew that this was also directed to the Democrats listening to the speech. Mitts five step plan for improving the country was introduced; he started off with the first step, cutting the countrys deficits. This means to bring down the amount of money owed by the United States to other countries. His second part was to reduce the taxes on businesses. By doing this, businesses will be able to flourish and build up the economy by not having their profits reduced. Thirdly, he would create energy independence. This means that the country will produce as much energy as it consumes. Fourth, he will give skills for careers. Meaning, under his presidency, the education systems would prepare the upcoming generations for the qualifications required in stable careers. The last part of his plan is to create new trade agreements. This ambitious goal would develop superior trading with other countries to better serve and benefit the economy and the American people. Romneys deductive reasoning toward the president and his first class five step plan had the audience at full attention and on their feet. The organizational pattern Mitt Romney used was cause-effect organization. He had clearly thought out this pattern and knew he would use it to state specific points and back up his accusations towards President Obama. Romney stated that the cause of the economical pit that we are in is because of Obamas radical tactics and his failure to see eye-to-eye with the American people. Therefore, the effect was that he did not succeed in his hopes to improve the country. This gives an excellent example of cause-effect organization. It is also a great use of deductive reasoning because he states the effects of Obamas poor performance, such as the
1

23 million Americans across the country still without jobs. Then he explains the reasons why these effects have come to pass, such as his inability to use realistic strategies. Supporting Material Ethos Ethos is defined as a speakers credibility. It is what makes him or her seem trustworthy and have shared fundamental traits with the audience. Mitt Romney demonstrated Ethos by reminding the audience and those watching on television of his background. He started off at his humble beginnings when he revealed that he helped create a company, Bain Capital, at the age of 37. As he built up, he informed the audience that his company was responsible for helping famous businesses, such as Staples get their start. This assured those watching that he was an extremely successful businessman. Then, he presented the fact that he was elected Governor of Massachusetts and was heavily beloved by its citizens. Finally, when the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics were in jeopardy, he took control of the situation and turned the entire event into a profit of millions of dollars. Why do I believe Mitt Romney? I believe him because he has the facts to support all of his claims. He has been extremely successful in the past and even now in the present. I am very impressed in the amazing accomplishments that he has achieved and even being selected as the Republican Nominee by surpassing the other candidates is no easy task. In this way, I feel that he is a very trustworthy person and a good man. Pathos Pathos is defined as emotional appeal. In this case, it is used to get in touch with the audiences emotions in a way that will benefit the speakers cause. At first, Mitt Romney demonstrated Pathos through his expressions of humility to the audience. He explains his gratitude for what he has been given and thanks the people in attendance. Then, he takes a transition to prompt sympathy and hope. Romney tells how his father, would every day, set a rose on his wifes bedside table once he returned home. Then, one day when his father died, there were was not another rose waiting for Mitts mother when she had the hope of finding one. Through this, his mother had to take the responsibility of two parents and worked every bit that she could for her family. From these experiences, he has come to greatly respect his wife and the role of a mother. It was a very emotional subject and impacted the crowd in a way that made them like him even more. Logos Logos is defined as facts or logic that support the ideas of the speaker and what he/she is trying to prove. Mitt Romney had many uses of Logos. Some of which pertain to his success and some to President Obamas falsehoods. Firstly, he proved that he had many high-ranking women employees in many positions in his businesses. This could further gain feminine support in

addition to his statements of respecting the motherly role. Mitt Romney makes many logical claims that are firmly reinforced by truth and from derived information. Specific examples of the Logos in Mitt Romneys convention speech are mostly geared towards the denouncing of President Obamas policies. Firstly, he gives specific information that 1 in every 6 Americans is living in poverty, and that this has worsened during the Obamas Presidency and he stresses that it doesnt look like it will get better with Obama still in the White House. Next, he brings up the fact that the average family income has fallen by $4,000, and that the Presidents cuts to the military will lose jobs instead of providing them. Romney then clearly states that through statistics and in directly telling everyone, he will not raise taxes. He knows that these things wont affect everyone, so he makes a statement that food and gas prices will incline, which things are very essential to every American. Through this, everyone listing in is attentive and alert to what is being spoken by Romney. Delivery Mitt Romney is a very prepared public speaker because of the way he acted and presented his speech. He is a great example of an excellent public speaker. The way that he was steadfast, strong, and fluent in his speech was something very hard to achieve. It is obvious that his speech was very well practiced and thought out. There were only pauses in his talking when it was appropriate for dramatic effect, and when he wasnt able to be heard over the cheering of his audience. I believe that he covered all of the bases for a proper speech, and a motivational one at that. Examples of the nonverbals that Mitt Romney used in his speech are that of his gestures that ranged from strong hand movement when making an important point, to gently smiling when slowly looking across the audience. His tie was red, the color of power. He most likely wore this to enhance his influence of power to the listeners. There were no disfluencies in his body language. Even when he walked across the stage to speak, he didnt pace or have any fearful shake in his posture. He did all of this, even though he was the center of attention for millions of people. One thing that perhaps would be overlooked by most people, wasnt overlooked by Governor Romney. This was the fact that he often looked into the camera and at the audience at the convention for equal amounts of time. He didnt let anyone feel left out. Perhaps he has also seen the FISH Philosophy video and has learned to Be There for people. Motivation Enthusiasm is the key to motivation in my judgment. It keeps the audiences interest and attention which without, any speech would be useless. Whats the point of a speech if no one learns or listens to anything? Mitt Romney was very motivational at many times during his speech. He was motivational by giving examples of American prosperity and hope for the future. One way he did this was by building up the American pride. He reminded us that the United States of America was the first country to put a man on the Moon, and leave behind an everlasting marker that will always proclaim the American triumph, the American flag. He used a motivational technique in the form of Pathos. He told that wherever he goes in the United States, there are tributes to people that have died for America. No note of race, belief, or job of
3

theirs is listed. Lastly, he ends with a great phrase that gets the viewers to jump to their feet in celebration. He slowly says, When the world needs something big done, get an American. Mitt Romney explained to us the several propositions of his speech. Along with this, he also gave supporting points to his propositions. Romney plans to create 12 million new jobs. By doing so, he will work with all of his energy and soul, and will greatly focus on the war in the Middle East and will definitely not make any cuts to the military. He then gave five steps to how he will solve the countrys problems. They are: Cutting the deficits, reducing taxes on businesses while repealing and replacing Obamacare, energy independence, he will give skills for careers, and he will create new trade agreements. Through these five steps, he hopes to get the U.S. back in order. Romney also makes note that Obama is attacking success, and that he can tell us many things, but he cant tell us things are better since he took office. The crowd was extremely motivated and seemed like they were standing up and cheering every minute. Mitt Romney had truly done a very good job and concluded his speech with hopeful wishes for the audience, the American people, and the United States, along with the hope that God will bless each and every one of them.

4 2