Abraham Lincoln as a Powerful Communicator - Coursework Example

Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln is one of the greatest of All American Presidents, a skilled and powerful communicator. He moved his audience using extravagance of language and skill in the movements and gestures. Lincoln was the Great emancipator in the issue of slavery. Schwartz (469) notes that he was an accomplished speechwriter that was very inspirational. Lincoln did not require a White House speechwriter. His public speaking skill enabled the electorate have faith in his leadership. His famous Cooper Union address secured for him the Republican nomination for president. As an American president he was elected by less than 40 percent of the vote, he attuned himself to the mood of the citizens in an extraordinary way. As a politician he had an intuitive sense of when to hold fast, when to wait, and when to lead. Lincoln lives in an age of print where his communication fir in the environment. Lincoln powerful words reached a large audience that had inspiration to move the electorate since he had intellectual power, effective writing skills, and grip for a core issue that need immediate response. Lincoln adapted his speech depending on the audience. He had the ability for communicating to a particular point. Lincoln words carry power across time such as his Gettysburg cemetery remarks. Lincoln employs a strong voice and does not use electronic means or a teleprompter that present presidents use to conceal dependence on the prepared text. He spoke using a Midwestern inflection to create homogeneity in the national audience. His success as an orator stem from his demeanor, voice, delivery, ideology, words, and presence. Lincoln used powerful language on controversial matters such as the issue of slavery, tariffs, and tax cuts to depict core meaning and nub the issue. Lincoln was blessed with a impressive memory and an ability to research on a topic to enable him give painstaking historical detail such as the demonstration of anti slavery. He ultimately prepared the country to move forward courtesy to his ability to lead in a collaborative manner. That characteristic of collaborative leadership enabled him to steer the country through a perilous and challenging time. Lincoln built support for the emancipation proclamation since he emphasized on the military rationale to free slaves in the rebel regions. The issue was controversial in the public domain those that opposed the emancipation had Lincoln speeches on the issue educated the public on the future of American society that would be multiracial. His last words on the issue state, “In giving freedom to the slave, we assure freedom to the free-honorable alike in what we give, and what we preserve. We shall nobly save, or meanly lose the last, best hope of earth (Linden 22). Lincoln employs his verbal skills that he learns in his advocate and Congress capacity. During his life, he gives many inspiring speeches and uncanny story telling ability. He writes all his speeches to enable him master the art of communication. As an excellent communicator, he learned how to win a crowd. The secret lies in simplicity when addressing a crowd do not aim too high, aim at the lowest position to accommodate the common people so that they can comprehend the speech. Common people are the ones you ought to reach while giving your speech rather than aiming on the academic elite. As you aim for the common people, the professionals will understand you anyway. According to Lincoln, two groups of people in a crowd those that you want to communicate to and those you ought to reach. When one aims to high, the educated and refined group will understand the speech. The problem of aiming to high is that information by passes the masses that you ought to reach. Lincoln was an excellent orator since he concentrated on building rapport with the audience using verbal grace. Lincoln used a maxim that a drop of honey can attract many flies compared to a gallon of gall. Lincoln wrote out all his speeches and could read them out aloud and make necessary corrections. Lincoln could write eloquent letters and read them to his secretaries or the members of the cabinet. Some of the best speeches of John F. Kennedy benefit from Lincoln’s poise, good looks, presence, and the use of a strong voice. Schwartz (477) says that Lincoln used humor using hilarious tales that contain a hidden meaning. Lincoln often used humor and many stories in his speeches since many plain people depict easy influence through illustrations. Lincoln approach to emancipation reflects different attributes of a collaborative leader that include listening carefully to understand others perspectives, a drive to achieve a goal, using pulling more than a push, and thinking strategically to connect the project to a larger purpose. The two close aides of Lincoln cite that Lincoln advocates for short statutes of limitation in politics without holding grudges. Lincoln keeps his eye firmly on the prize and that means winning the war to maintain the Union. Once he determines that emancipation was critical to win the war, he concentrated on the proclamation with a single mind. His passion was for the lofty goal to diffuse critics as he pursues his agenda. outrage, others were anxious that that would demoralize the Union army. David Von Drehle Lincoln biographer states that he listened to others to understand their perspectives. He had an unusual way to look at things through the eyes of critics and his friends. He used the talent with his cabinet especially on the timing and wording of the proclamation. Schwartz (482) elucidate that most of Lincoln speeches had specific detail with flawless construction themes that are philosophical, profound, pompous, pedantic, and not partisan inclined. Some of the devices that Lincoln employs in his speeches include rhetorical devices, implicit, and explicit metaphors. He spends countless hours thinking strategically and connecting people to a fragile coalition. Abraham Lincoln is an extraordinary leader during the nation perilous time. His ability to lead in a collaborative manner and vocal ability are some of his strengths. We all can learn from his example. Works Cited Linden, Russ. "Abraham Lincoln and the Art of Collaborative Leadership." Public Manager 42.2 (2013): 22-24. "Abraham Lincoln (1809-65)." American Journal Of Economics & Sociology 1.1 (1941): 78. Schwartz, Barry. "Collective Memory And History: How Abraham Lincoln Became A Symbol Of Racial Equality." Sociological Quarterly 38.3 (1997): 469-496. Read More