www.rhetoricalliance.org http://www.rhetoricalliance.org Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000 en hourly 1 Metaphors and the Power of Suggestion http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/2012/01/16/metaphors-and-the-power-of-suggestion/ http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/2012/01/16/metaphors-and-the-power-of-suggestion/#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/?p=13 Metaphors are autumn leaves of the mind, changing the color of our thoughts. Ok, so that one was a bit tacky, but good metaphors indeed have a strong suggestive ability. Ever heard the proverb, “a picture is worth a thousand words?” Well, metaphors kind of work like that. They define something unfamiliar through the image of something familiar, or can create a deeper understanding by comparing two familiar images.
Take the famous metaphor, “Memory is a crazy woman that hoards colored rags and throws away food” from Austin O’Malley’s Keystone’s of Thought. Compare this to saying something like, “memory is flawed by unreasonable favoritism.” Which one of these stikes you as more memorable? Which one of these is more enjoyable to hear? I would say that O’Malley’s metaphor is much less abrasive sounding, and much more stimulating because of the image it envokes.
Both quotes were saying the same thing, the metaphor was just more suggestive of it. When you present a factual statement, it can seem abrubt and forceful. This is good when you want to stimulate debate, but people are more likely to simply agree with something that is pleasurable to hear – hence the power of music. Metaphors are extremely powerful in this sense, not only can they say a lot through their imagery, they can say it in an entertaining and agreeable way.

]]> http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/2012/01/16/metaphors-and-the-power-of-suggestion/feed/ 0 Our Best Public Speakers http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/2012/01/10/our-best-public-speakers/ http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/2012/01/10/our-best-public-speakers/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/?p=11 If your daily thoughts are consumer by things like “how many calories did that yogurt have?” and “what are the best wireless internet service providers in my are” you need some eloquence in your life. You don’t have to bust out the Shakespeare but rather just listen to some of the best speakers of our time – they’re everywhere.
Barrack Obama: No matter what your politics are, Barrack has one of the most eloquent speaking voices in recent memory. He’s a powerful public speaker and for good reason – watch some old campaign videos, too.
Ina Garten: If you want soothing, look no further than the Food Network chef. Put her on in the background and lull yourself to sleep – she’s got the grammar and the vocabulary to beat and she also occasionally throws in a French word or two!
Daniel Craig: He’s bond for a reason and his great speech patterns surely don’t hurt. Whether he’s giving a press conference or in a movie on your TV Craig’s got a commanding presence on screen. He’s a powerful speaker, that’s for sure.

]]> http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/2012/01/10/our-best-public-speakers/feed/ 0 Five Speeches That Changed the Course of History http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/2012/01/03/five-speeches-that-changed-the-course-of-history/ http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/2012/01/03/five-speeches-that-changed-the-course-of-history/#comments Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/?p=12 It is amazing how powerful and passionate words can make such an impact on a large number of people. Over the years, there have been numerous speeches that have both inspired and empowered people. These famous speeches were heard by thousands and have changed the course of history forever. Continue reading to learn about some of the amazing speeches that made an impact on many

1. I Have a Dream Speech by Martin Luther King Jr.
This speech was all about the inequality that blacks were forced to deal with. MLK Jr was brave enough to stand up for African Americans and attempt to make others realize that everyone should be treated equally and skin color should not be an issue.The whole story can be found at http://notesandobservations.me/2011/12/08/obama-and-gingrich-embrace-the-insane-theodore-roosevelt/ His speech both inspired and changed history forever.
2. Alexander the Great
He delivered a very powerful speech to his army of men when they lost the will to continue combat. His words gave them the determination, strength and passion to fight in the battle.
3. Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi delivered a very powerful speech about how peace can overcome war when India was seeking freedom from British rule. His message was powerful yet peaceful in approach and made a huge impact.
4. Duties of American Citizenship by Theodore Roosevelt
This speech was about encouraging men to do their part of helping maintain a good government. Roosevelt targeted those who excused themselves from politics.
5. We Shall Fight on the Beaches by Winston Churchill
This gave Britain’s soldiers strength during the Battle of France. His speech was very powerful and made a huge impact.
Overall, these speeches affected historical moments. Whether it was for equal rights or inspiration these speeches, were both powerful and had a positive message to its audience. These speeches will never be forgotten and will be part of the history books forever.

]]> http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/2012/01/03/five-speeches-that-changed-the-course-of-history/feed/ 0 Assonance, Alliteration, and the Sounds of Skillful Speech http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/2011/09/13/assonance-alliteration-and-the-sounds-of-skillful-speech/ http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/2011/09/13/assonance-alliteration-and-the-sounds-of-skillful-speech/#comments Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/?p=8 Sound And Skillful Speech
Whenever the written word is transformed into oration, proof of the quality of certain sounds of assonance and alliteration is clarified. Notwithstanding excellence of public speaking skills, certain key verbalization techniques exist that elevate the quality of sound and produce eloquence and impact. The importance of choosing harmonic words for speech cannot be understated. The reason for this is cerebral and audible resonance for listeners.

Assonance
Choosing words that sound alike produces a powerful mechanism for memory retention. Beginning a speech with words with similar sounds embedded early into communication helps maintain a harmonic flow for speakers and aids in memory retention for listeners. Example: The shock of the quake rocked the entire block. This example of assonance captures tempo and harmony in the flow of speech.

Alliteration
An alliteration is simply use of words that begin with similar alphabetical letters. Example: The silly scenario scintillates the senses. This type of alliteration is often used by media to embed keywords for impact. Politicians also tend to prefer alliteration to punctuate speeches for eloquence.

Keying Into Assonance, Alliteration and The Sounds of Skillful Speech
Choosing keywords with assonance and alliteration assures articulation, impact, eloquence for skillful speech.

]]> http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/2011/09/13/assonance-alliteration-and-the-sounds-of-skillful-speech/feed/ 0 The Famous Orators of Greece and Rome http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/2011/09/11/the-famous-orators-of-greece-and-rome/ http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/2011/09/11/the-famous-orators-of-greece-and-rome/#comments Sun, 11 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/?p=7 The famous oratory in Greece and Rome is what is called an effective way to speak in public and is done by joining such clubs like Rostrum, Toastmasters International, Associations of Speakers Club or POWERtalk international. Each member who joins will learn how to improve their speaking skills. All the members of the club will learn how to observation and practice, and listen to suggestions on learning better techniques when speaking in public.

This is a list of what oratory will teach members: learning how to use gestures, learning how to control their, what way to use vocabulary, resister and word choice so members can learn how to write a more effective speech. Other training also helps individuals how to use notes for there speech. Different types pitches in their voices when they are speaking, different ways to include humor in their speeches and learning how to develop a relationship with their audience.

Today there are several ways to become an apart of these clubs be there in person, watching videos are by saying up online. Taking classes in person is the best options for members; because it will allow you to become more have a better learning experience and especially in the countries in Greece and Rome.Keep looking, there-s more: Public Speaking

]]> http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/2011/09/11/the-famous-orators-of-greece-and-rome/feed/ 0 Battle Cries: Heroism and Public Speaking in the Iliad http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/2011/09/08/battle-cries-heroism-and-public-speaking-in-the-iliad/ http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/2011/09/08/battle-cries-heroism-and-public-speaking-in-the-iliad/#comments Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/?p=6 Ask someone to describe the ideal soldier and you will probably get an answer like “brave,’ “strong,’ or “patriotic.’ What you would probably not expect to hear is “expert orator,’ and yet in ancient Greece rhetorical skills were every bit as admirable in a warrior as physical prowess. Nowhere is this more apparent than in that monument to martial glory known as the Iliad.

The commander who rallies his disheartened troops with a stirring speech is hardly unique to classical literature; more modern examples range from Henry V to The Lord of the Rings. The Iliad differs not so much in kind as it does in degree. Over and over again, we see that the most esteemed leaders”Odysseus, Hector, and Nestor among them”are also those who speak the most persuasively. Odysseus in particular is renowned for his cleverness, and it is he that Agamemnon sends to convince Achilles to join the fight once more.

To a modern reader, this emphasis on speech-making can be jarring; we are not used to characters pausing in the midst of battle to give lengthy and elaborate speeches. But the goal of a work like the Iliad is not verisimilitude, and when we read it instead as a commemoration of the heroic virtues, it becomes clear that the ability to engage an audience with one-s words was absolutely vital.Related Article : Book Of A Lifetime: The Iliad, By Homer

]]> http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/2011/09/08/battle-cries-heroism-and-public-speaking-in-the-iliad/feed/ 0 Aristotle and the Art of Rhetoric http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/2011/09/07/aristotle-and-the-art-of-rhetoric/ http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/2011/09/07/aristotle-and-the-art-of-rhetoric/#comments Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.rhetoricalliance.org/?p=5 Aristotle and the Art of Rhetoric are a historical milestone in human history. Aristotle wrote the original work called Rhetoric sometime near the 4th century BC. It was a grand exposition on the arts of persuasion and is one of his greatest written works. Because of this treatise Aristotle is given credit for creating the systems of using rhetoric theory in the ancient times. Rhetoric was probably not intended for publication by Aristotle, but inevitably ends up being the most important work on persuasion ever put to paper. It is a collection of notations from his teaching and lectures to students during his life. It was a series of ideas that were developed while Aristotle was in Athens during two times in his life. It was a work that caused much disagreement throughout classical Greece. This debate is still alive today, but the Art of Rhetoric has become an influential written work in many circles of philosophy, art and literature into the 20th century. This shows not only the great mind that Aristotle possessed, but also the ever changing world mood from the past to the present. Aristotle would be smiling to know Rhetoric has had such long term influence.

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