Speaking style of President Bill Clinton - Book Report/Review Example

Speech on the unique Speaking style of President Bill Clinton William Jefferson Clinton was one of the most memorable presidents of the United s in the 20th century. Bill Clinton was also one of those American presidents-democrats who lead the country during two terms (1993 - 2001). Why was Clinton so popular among American people and abroad One of the most important factors of his popularity is his rhetoric ability and his unique speaking style which influences everybody who listens to his speeches.

This paper will discuss the main features of Bill Clinton's speaking style and evaluate impression made by his speeches to people. Some interesting and well known speeches of Bill Clinton will be analyzed from rhetorical point of view.The first Clinton's speech to be analyzed is his speech to Veterans Organizations on Kosovo which took place on May 13, 1999 at the Office of the Press Secretary, the White House. The main purpose of the speech is to explain necessity of democratic development of Yugoslavia.

His speech is rather persuasive: in the beginning of his speech Clinton includes general introductory appeal to the auditory to show the current political situation in Eastern Europe, and then he goes deep into details. The citation from Franklin Roosevelt as a great political authority gives more persuasiveness to the speech. Clinton demonstrates reach vocabulary appropriate the style and purpose of the speech; the main grammar features of the speech are abundance of past and present simple tense, a small amount of complicated grammar phrases - these features as usual provide persuasiveness of Clinton's speeches and positively impress listeners.

In his speech he underlines the most important phrases by his tone. The second speech for the analysis is Bill Clinton's First Inaugural Address on January 20, 1993. The purpose of the speech is appeal to Americans for renewal and readiness to the new era of democracy. To give more persuasive to his speech Clinton addresses numerous historical parallels and examples, as well as some metaphoric devices. This speech of Clinton has a character of appeal, so there are many phrases with word "must".

The main grammar and vocabulary features of the speech are frequent use of present simple tense and correct choice of appropriate numerals and verbs which colour the speech by expressiveness and clarity. The tone of the speech is inspiring and emotionally-colored.The third speech is Bill Clinton's Oklahoma Bombing Memorial Prayer Service Address delivered on April 23, 1995 in Oklahoma City. The purpose of the speech is to remain the nation about the victims of the air crash and to console the relatives of people perished.

The speech is emotional and impressive. He tries to unite the nation faced such grief and misfortune as the air crush with numerous victims, and he uses specific rhetorical methods. Clinton's tone expresses mourning and grief; he associates himself and his wife Hillary with the nation that is very impressive and eloquent; he reminds Americans about eternal values which are always in people's hearts; Clinton doesn't use complicated grammar forms - it helps him to be clearly understandable to his listeners; his vocabulary in this speech is very specific: he uses words which can be reflected in minds of everybody who listens to him.

SourcesFirst Inaugural Address of William J. Clinton; January 20, 1993. The Avalon Project at Yale Law School. (http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/presiden/inaug/clinton1.htm) Speech by President to Veterans Organizations on Kosovo. (May 13, 1999). Office of the Press Secretary, the White House. (http://www.clintonfoundation.org/legacy/051399-speech-by-president-to-veterans-organizations-on-kosovo.htm)William Jefferson Clinton: Farewell Address to the Nation. Top 100 American Speeches. (http://www.

americanrhetoric.com/speeches/clintonfarewell.htm)William Jefferson Clinton: Oklahoma Bombing Memorial Prayer Service Address. Top 100 American Speeches. (http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/wjcoklahomabombingspeech.htm)