Compare and contrast these speech - Essay Example

Compare and Contrast These Speech These two speeches are a debate between the candi s standing for the Elections. The first debate is between the Nixon and Kennedy, while the second debate is between Edwards, Obama and Clinton. When we talk about speech ethics it means, giving the other person a chance to give his point of view and not making personal statements to degrade the opponent. Speech competence means the ability to counter the opponent’s comments and speech and make sure that the audience understands your point of view clearly.

Style is subjective to every individual and differs from person to person. Content matters the most while participating in a debate especially this sort. It helps present your opinions to the audience and help in gaining votes. In the debate between Nixon and Kennedy, both candidates have good content to counter the opponent’s remarks. Both the speakers know what points of the other they can counter and take those up first. They want to make an impression on the listeners to gain votes but their content is up-to-date and thorough.

The style is simple, but the pauses between speeches make the speech more effective. The tone of voice varies in accordance to the importance of the point and the importance that the speaker wants to give the point. Nixon last few sentences literally rattle the people because it makes them fell that it is eventually up to them to help the country. Those last words leave a lasting impression on the people who have heard the speech. This speech is more ethical because they do not interrupt each other and do not make personal attacks.

In the debate between Edwards, Obama and Clinton, speech ethics are lacking. They both are trying to make personal attacks and interrupted each other. Although, it is not their turn to speak in the debate, they interrupt the speaker just to justify themselves. Content is not focused towards the issue of helping the American people and what they would do to make further amendments. The debate is over things that have already happened and who has raised how much money for their campaign. They are, as I said earlier making personal attacks rather than just political ones.

Competence of speech is not lacking in both speeches. All these five people are very good speakers and can have the effect that they want on people. Style is aggressive for Obama while defensive for Hilary. They stress upon the right words to get the effect they want and their nonverbal cues are in accordance with their verbal cues. In my opinion these debates have moved away from the people of America to the personal issues of the candidates who are standing up for the elections. The way the Nixon and Kennedy debate took place, with poise from both candidates and their content ready with them, information up-to-date and respect for the other speaker is not there in the debates nowadays.

Things have changed, people focus on other things and try to prove themselves right. The debates nowadays are aggressive and personal. BibliographyHorton, James L. (2005) A Good Speech, http://www.online-pr.com/Holding/A_Good_Speech.pdf