obama speech writers

obama speech writers

The Art of Speechwriting: A Comprehensive Study of Obama’s Speechwriters

1. Introduction to Speechwriting and its Importance

The body of analysis to follow in this report revolves around four specific speeches. It first takes an in-depth look at two of Obama’s inaugural addresses from his first and second terms. This study is followed by an exploration of Obama’s speech in Selma, Alabama, where he reflected upon the exact events that the event was commemorating – the march in 1965 when African American demonstrators were beaten by the police during what became known as “Bloody Sunday.” The final speech scrutinized in this study is when Obama paid tribute to the late Senator Edward (Ted) Kennedy, following his death in 2008. It is clear through examination that each of these speeches had unique and specific elements that will be addressed throughout the course of the examination and further illustrate the potential of Obama to touch people in an emotional way and inspire them to act.

This report is interested in advancing the current knowledge of what defines a great political speech and the role of a presidential speechwriter. As a result, it studies presidential speechwriting during the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama’s, two terms in office through the eyes of his main, and most influential, presidential speechwriter, Jon Favreau, as well as other members of the administration. It is clear through this analysis that Obama’s administration valued speeches as a great part of their work and were highly developed as “an emotional connective that demands action.”

The art of speechwriting, like a brilliant piece of oratory itself, does not occur in a vacuum but must be considered in the wider context of social, cultural, political, and historical events. The employment of high-quality, persuasive public speeches has been put to great use in Western society for centuries and has played a considerable role in deciding who is considered the greatest figures in history. Deciding the exact function or importance of a speech is subjective and will vary depending on what era, political context, and legal system is considered, alongside what scholars’ explanations are considered. It is clear, however, that great speeches have the ability to not only reflect important moments in society but also have the potential to create justice for many.

2. The Role of Speechwriters in Crafting Obama’s Iconic Speeches

The White House office served to advise the President on effective messaging through written and oral products that were valued by the Obama administration and included: State of the Union addresses, inaugural speeches, baccalaureate speeches, and commencement addresses, memorial remarks co-written with the President, executive orders, statements of administration policy on legislation, and national security policy speeches and news conferences. Speechwriters worked behind the scenes and, as the data analysis shows, many non-media products were taken through a collaborative process. They were also subjected to multiple rounds of revisions within the White House and were vetted by the President. The creation of Obama’s speeches and the delivery of them served to help construct a positive political identity and build trustworthiness. Addressing different publics and messages of interest, Obama’s different speeches demonstrated his skills as a moral orator. In this capacity, Obama gave memorials, eulogies, civil rights speeches, and dreamed with audiences who stood inspired by the hope President Barack Obama lent them. Sharing these speeches, the former speechwriting team members and the President and former President can together influence and shape the President’s legacy. Having provided a window into the intimate, yet public, stage of speechwriting for Barack Obama, the story began in Chicago on a cold winter night when 23-year-old junior Senator Obama addressed the Democratic National Convention. It ended at the hull of a tragic national story.

Speechwriters played a critical role in shaping iconic speeches and the communicative legacy of President Barack Obama. Speechwriters Jon Favreau, Sarah Hurwitz, and Cody Keenan, and speechwriting directors Terry E. Szuplat and David Litt leveraged language and rhetoric in the art of speechwriting. They chose messaging for speeches, helped the President articulate moral foregrounds, and at times even wrote in Obama’s voice. The strategic use of rhetorical mechanisms took place as these Obama speechwriters engaged in a “messablishing” process with Presidential speaking.

3. Key Strategies and Techniques Used by Obama’s Speechwriters

According to Obama’s speechwriters, appealing to admiration was a must. Obama’s speechwriters were very successful in making this address eloquent to gain charisma. According to Obama’s speechwriters, style, rhythm, and timing all had to be in place for the listener to understand, and the speech pattern fell into a nice, enjoyable order before it was over. Obama’s speechwriters became interested in employing various literary and oratorical tools to attach to the audience to further improve the speech. Grammatically, parallelisms, metaphors, irony, understatement, and a variety of powerful old Scottish vernacular were used by them. Morphologically, intensifying/adornment techniques, including the use of various synonyms of one word or a spherical/italic pattern and creating an interjection effect by utilizing sentence-initial formulations, governed the handling of words. While they were well-prepared, Obama was able to customize his speech for his listeners on the go without the need.

Changing the lives of millions, policymakers frequently resort to public address. In his Washington speech at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Annual Meetings on October 9, 2010, President Barack Obama utilized many different styles, objects, and strategies to make his message persuasive and compelling to the audience. Obama’s special technique or pattern of influencing his audience is examined in this essay – ascribed to Obama’s speechwriter’s writing. This article particularly examines the different “purposes” based on stylistic and rhetorical methods.

4. Impact of Obama’s Speeches on Society and Politics

Obama’s race speech had to stand out as mature, unusual in a presidential campaign. It drew on complex ideas and a decade’s worth of personal reflection and self-analysis in a way suited to Obama’s penchant for arguing that America must finally leave the 1960s and grapple with the subtler and more difficult realities of the 21st Century. “I have already addressed my faith on the eve of the Colorado primary in February, and I’m certain I will again, and again after that,” he said. “Where religion is concerned, as in every area, I am less interested in character than in issues. I am equally uninterested in religious pluralism. I am interested in religious freshness.” So, too, in some ways, is Obama interested in freshness, and also in complexity – religious, racial, and otherwise. He said of his race speech: “What so engaged me about [it] was the chance to set out a sophisticated statement on what it is like to belong to two races, and maybe even suggest what it’s like to belong to no race. I never had that chance before.”

Following that, let us analyze the impact of Obama’s speeches. It seems safe to say that Barack Obama will remain an influential leader for a long time. His messages expanded into society and led to the election of a man of color as the President of the USA. Obama’s message of “Change” and his “Yes, we can!” slogans, as repeated throughout his speeches, pushed many people to believe in the impossibilities of dreams and the dangerous curtain facing the poor, the black, and the disabled individuals. Obama’s speeches opened the hearts of people in the United States and the world. “PC” went ahead of Hillary Clinton in the Democratic nomination, in part because one of his top consultants also recognized (correctly) that Obama was an unusually talented public speaker.

5. Conclusion and Future Trends in Speechwriting

Regarding this comprehensive study, this paper would like to test the general conclusion we have outlined below. First, how persuasive can this content be when we tested in the field based on rhetorical analysis? The paper would include case studies on key speeches of Obama and their effects in influencing public opinion, narrative frames, and taking society back to Community Organizer mode. There would also be small case studies in digital campaigning and effect analysis persisted after policy action. Secondly, the paper should outline the ‘roadmap to excellence’ and anticipate the shifts that the profession may assume in the future. The rise of digital and social media communication employment across multiple platforms necessitates clear coherent messaging in both the direct short and long run effects. Providing visionary and direct speeches, touching at emotional-resonance necessitates the sound of a trusted voice. Besides, the paper should include presentation styles that would incorporate much anecdotal evidence on his findings. The paper should aim to guide students, politicians, professionals working in PR and the social media policy sectors, as well as policy advisors. The paper would forever seek to inspire and transform speeches and communication debate.

Based on this comprehensive study, the paper has made some conclusions about the state of speechwriting. We have unearthed key trends and approaches which have marked Obama’s White House. The current role of speechwriters leans toward a more autonomous figure of the ‘message creator’ still aware of informal expressions and feelings. A modern smart message reflects problems of society, politics, economy, and any of the significant issues which the addressee grapples. The practices on delivery reinforced the ‘backstory on speech making’. They argue that the ‘smart message must reflect policy roots before voters legs’. Summing up, the feel of Obama’s message is one of ‘determination’ and ‘defiance’. The feel of his speeches around the formalities of president is one of a criticism ‘single’ politician to a political ‘system’ that discourages participation and engagement.

The aim of this paper was to develop a comprehensive study of key figures in Barack Obama’s speechwriting team. The main goal was to discover the key ingredients of Obama’s speechwriting in order to reflect on the state of speechwriting and where it is heading. The paper went through different published and archival sources in order to interview, critique, and make original conclusions regarding Obama’s seven speechwriters.

5. Conclusion