Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address - enduring model of an effective speech

Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address - enduring model of an effective speech  

Good speeches are becoming rare, and the Good Speaker is an endangered kind - in spite of modern tools of communication.  

Dr Abe V Rotor

Living with Nature School on Blog

Rare photograph: Lincoln seated without hat left of center, taken during the dedication of the Gettysburg Cemetery where 20,000 soldiers were killed on both sides - the Union representing the government, and the Confederates (secessionists)

Of the five known copies of the "Gettysburg Address" in Abraham Lincoln's handwriting (all a little different), this version named after Col. Alexander Bliss has been the most often produced in the 150 years since Lincoln signed and dated it, according to abrahamlincolnonline.org.

Here is the full text:

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.

The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

-- Abraham Lincoln
Nov. 19, 1863

 

Gettysburg Address in Lincoln's Handwriting

 

Edward Everett delivered a two-hour oration before Lincoln's two-minute Gettysburg address. 
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Speech is oral communication delivered before a large gathering - on stage or broadcast. Speech is an important medium of presenting information in meetings, political or business gatherings. To be effective a speech should have the following qualities.

1. Definiteness of Message

2. Clarity
3. Interesting

4. Conciseness5. Speaking Slowly6. Use of Body Language
7. Free from Emotions

8. Informal Touch
9. Considering the Audience
10. Ensuring Participation of Audience

Qualities of the best speakers
1. Begin the speech, after passing for a few seconds, looking over the audience. Open the speech with a striking, catchy introduction looking into the eyes of the audience. Establish eye contact with the audience.
2. Do not read your speech. Don't rely too much of technology, such as PowerPoint) 
3. Wear clothes that befit the occasion.
4. Have a good posture and appearance. Do not hold onto the mike or to the podium for support.
5. Modulate your voice. Speak at moderate speed. Do not rush. Have a conversational tone. Have enough voice projection. 6. Be confident, relaxed and energetic. Avoid mannerisms.
 
7. Convey sincerity, conviction and enthusiasm for the subject.
8. Manage time. 
9. Use gestures to emphasize and clarify your points.
10. Pause before and after important ideas. Stop while the audience is still eager to hear more. Close the speech with a striking, impressive, concluding remark.

Acknowledgement: Cerwin-Vega Official Site
The Loud Speaker Company. Pro Audio & Home Audio Speakers.

Lesson on former Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid (People's School on Air) with Ms Melly C Tenorio 738 DZRB 8 to 9 evening class, Monday to Friday