Speech Models
from Dr. Vance

President Ronald Reagan
July 3, 1986
New York
Topic:  Re-dedication of Statue of Liberty

Called the "Great Communicator," President Reagan had excellent phrasing and fluency. This clip is an excellent example of phrasing and rhythm in public speaking. Notice how the ideas are delivered in short groups of words, marked by frequent pauses.

Barack Obama
January 20, 2009
Washington
Topic: Inauguration Speech

This speech makes good use of vocabulary and emphasis. The speech opens with powerful contrasts between words and images. The speech also contains other rhetorical devices, such as repetition and speed changes dependent on content.

Carly Fiorina
San Francisco
October 19, 2006
Topic: Women in business

Ms. Fiorina was the CEO of computer giant Hewlett-Packard. In this clip, she is talking about her book Tough Choices. Notice her good use of body language, both the range of movement and coordination with meaning.

John Doerr
Monterey, California
March 8, 2007
Topic: Green technologies

One of the most successful venture capitalists of the technology boom, Mr. Doerr begins his talk by capturing the attention of the audience with a provocative statement "I'm really scared" and a story from family life to help the audience see the importance of the issue.