Abstract:

Motivational speeches have become popular during the last decade, however this type of speeches is much older than TED talks. What can be learnt from these speeches? They can provide not only inspiration and motivation during important moments in our lives but they can also serve as a source of inspiration for the language we use in our everyday communication. Therefore, such speeches can be used when teaching communication skills.

This paper provides a case study dealing with powerful speeches delivered by three very different speakers: Winston Churchill, Steve Jobs, and Emma Watson. The speeches were analyzed while focusing on the language the speakers used as well as on the delivery of these speeches.

Linguistic analysis was combined with the analysis of rhetorical strategies used by the speakers, with special attention to features such as metaphors, parallels or analogies employed to strengthen the message. Then the actual delivery of every speech was analyzed focusing on means supporting the overall impact of the speech. The analyses results were compared, conclusions as to the common features present in powerful motivational speeches drawn, and implications for teaching communication and presentation skills were suggested.

Keywords:

Teaching communication skills, linguistic analysis, rhetoric.