A Historical Perspective Can Enhance Public Speaking

By DiMarkco Chandler

During my childhood days in Chicago there were two public speakers, whose speeches I always enjoyed listening to. In fact, sometimes I would listen to one in particular all day long. The two speakers I am referring two were John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King. In addition to these two eloquent orators, I also admired Dr. Gene Scott who teaches biblical truth from a historical perspective. All in all, these three speakers have several qualities in common that not only make them effective speakers, but also excellent candidates from which I am learning to model and develop my own skills.

The first skill that King, Kennedy, and Scott have in common is their ability to passionately convey a message. This is clearly demonstrated by the way they inflict a certain tonal quality into carefully selected words used in their speeches. This is effective because it has a way of penetrating deep into the emotional fabric of the listener.

Another skill that is cleverly performed by these great orators is their artful use of the English language. In other words, these three speakers are what you call articulate in their presentations.

The most important skill that all three of these public speakers possess is a thorough command of the material they dispense. This skill often takes many years to master because it not only involves acquired knowledge but also includes the sum total of one’s life experiences.

I believe that I possess at least one of these skills.  The fact that my childhood was very difficult has given me an element of passion that, under different circumstances, I would not have acquired.  As for the ability to be articulate, this skill I am diligently seeking to develop and cultivate; and as for me gaining a thorough command of the material I speak about, that journey began for me, seventeen years ago when I first sought a degree in history.