Name
Professor Martin
English 1301 - S15
1 February 2008 
The Power of Words: An Examination of a Great Speech
Speeches have been utilized for centuries by great men and women in order to deliver a message.  Although many lack the experience to write an effective speech, there are a multitude of useful tools and strategies, which can improve any speech.  An example of a skilled speaker is former Vice President Albert Arnold Gore, Jr.  In his 2004 Democratic National Convention Address, delivered on July 26, 2004 at Fleet Center in Boston, Gore exploits numerous proposals to engage his audience. By appealing to the audience from an emotional, logical, and socially-respectable standpoint, and the manner and timing in which he implements the appeal, he is able to strengthen his argument. 
A crucial element of public speaking involves building connections with the audience.  Gore successfully does so by beginning his speech with, "My friends, fellow Democrats, fellow Americans" (Gore).  He appeals to the listeners through his friendly demeanor.  These words help the audience to connect to Gore in a personal, political, and patriotic fashion.  Gore continues with, "I'm going to be candid with you.  I had hoped to be back here this week under different circumstance, running for election.  But you know the old saying: you win some, you lose some.  And then there's that little-known third party" (Gore).  In a more serious tone, Gore introduces his opinions and statements.  By explaining his actions, his audience believes he is honest- an exceptionally important characteristic for a politician to have.  Nonetheless, Gore divulges that he is a respectable and ethical man.  Also, Gore mentions the unrespectable act of cheating, an allusion to the 2000 election controversy between Gore and Bush, Jr.  The winner of the past election rested on Florida.  Gore was first selected as the winner, although a recount was demanded.  Even though Gore won the popular vote, Bush won the electoral votes.  Furthermore, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Bush as the winner.  By revealing Bush's blasphemy, Gore increases his credibility as an honest man and appealing to reason and public opinion.  Gore continues by indicating, "Let's make sure that the Supreme Court does not pick the next President, and that this President is not the one who picks the next Supreme Court" (Gore).  He implies that when two government bodies benefit from aiding the other, undoubtedly there is corruption.  Since American governing systems are based on the principal of the "balance of power", Gore is able to reveal the corruption that exists.  This causes the audience to experience a drive to right past wrongs. 
As he continues his speech, Gore changes his tactics to focus on current events.  He begins confronting issues and concerns which relate to the current 2004 election.  He starts by stating, "These challenges we now confront are not Democratic or Republic challenges; they are American challenges that we all must overcome together as one people, as one nation" (Gore).  Gore's elegant use of words like "we", "American", "together", and "one nation" creates a sense of unity amongst the audience.  This diction makes Gore appear caring and harmonious.  He is able to relate to the crowd in an emotional manner.  Furthermore, Gore addresses not only his own party, but the opposing political party as well.  By willingly reaching out to the opposing side, he reveals his genuine character.  Gore is vigilant in attaining the respect of the audience, regardless of political affiliation.  As he continues, Gore states, " I sincerely ask those watching at home tonight who supported President Bush four years ago: did you really get what you expected from the candidate you voted for?  Is our country more united today?  Or more divided?  Has the promise of compassionate conservatism been fulfilled?  Or do those words now ring hollow?" (Gore).  Now, Gore is finally confronting the true issue: the consequences of Bush's terms.  By recalling past events, Gore provokes the audience to question Bush's motives.  Using logical analysis, he gains the attention of the audience.  He also implements an emotional response by mentioning the rift that has plagued America since the war in Iraq.  When 9/11 occurred, Americans originally agreed on retaliation.  Yet, as more controversies began unfolding, many have lost that desire.  This subject matter is extraordinarily important to Americans because our history represents the struggle for freedom and equality, honesty and integrity, and the search for peace.  Gore shifts his attention to the struggles that war has brought to America.  He speaks about the increasing deficit, which affects people on a national and international basis.  Gore says, "For that matter, are the economic policies really conservative at all?  For example, did you expect the largest deficits in history, year after year?  One right after another?  And the loss of more than a million jobs?" (Gore).  The backbone of any powerful nation is the readily available finances which protect us from future misfortunes.  To speak out about the decreasing value of the US dollar, Gore is implying that Bush is responsible.  He further attacks the Bush administration by blaming them for the loss of jobs.  Gore continues on the subject matter of unemployment by stating, "And while it's true that new jobs are being created, they're just not as good as the jobs people have lost.  And incidentally, that's been true for me too.  Unfortunately, this is no joke for millions of Americans.  And the real solutions require us to transcend partisanship" (Gore).  Gore is able to relate with his spectators through social opinion.  He experiences the same consequences as the people.  This allows the audience to connect with Gore, thus invoking a feeling of empathy and/or sympathy.  Furthermore, Gore's thoughtful use of the word partisanship-a member of a party of light or irregular troops engaged in harassing an enemy- also hints at the personal purpose of Bush.  
 As Gore draws to a close he begins to elaborate on the current situation with questions.  Gore asks, "Wouldn't we be better off with a new President who hasn't burned his bridges to our allies, and who can rebuild respect for America in the world?  Isn't cooperation with other nations crucial to solving our dilemma in Iraq?  Isn't it also critical to defeating the terrorists?" (Gore).  Although Gore openly blames Bush for his deceptive and unethical practices, Gore is able to keep his addressees' attention by blaming the terrorist as well.  This subject is sensitive to many Americans because of the recent events of 9/11.  Yet his questions serve another purpose.  By asking these questions, Gore is also suggesting solutions to these problems.  He proves he is a person of logical reasoning.  Yet he also shows an emotional understanding too.  By stating, "We have to be crystal clear about the threat we face from terrorism.  It is deadly.  It is real.  It is imminent" (Gore), Gore appeals to the audience with his choice of words.  He uses words like "threat", "terrorism", and "deadly", which the audience registers as horrible and frightening.  Also Gore's use of the words "real" and "imminent" represents the impending doom that may come as a result of Bush's actions in Iraq.  Yet, Gore doesn't continue to barrage Bush.  Instead he shifts his focus to the opinion of the people.  Gore begins, "But in order to protect our people, shouldn't we focus on the real source of this threat: the group that attacked us and is trying to attack us again: Al Qaeda, headed by Osama bin Laden?  Wouldn't we be safer with a President who didn't insist on confusing Al Qaeda with Iraq?  Doesn't that divert too much of our attention away from the principal danger?" (Gore).  In this series of questions, Gore focuses on the terrorist group Al Qaeda.  Although the US is currently waging war in Iraq, Gore specifies that the enemy is not Iraq, but Al Qaeda.  In doing so, Gore stirs the audiences' desire for a new Commander in Chief.  Gore switches gears, once again, by ending his speech on a softer note.  He calls on our nation's greatest strength: Democracy.  He encourages the audience by saying, "when we're headed in the wrong direction, we can correct our course.  When policies are clearly not working, we, the people, can change them" (Gore).  He uses the American ideal to have a safe country where everyone is equal to logically expose the correct route for our nation to go.  He also uses emotional connation to invoke the idea "justice always prevail", an emotional topic in our nation's disheveled past.
Gore proves to be an intelligent and successful speaker because he appeals to his viewers in an emotional, logical, and social manner.  Gore's proficient use of these three appeals and his ability to transit from one appeal to another creates a powerful and effective argument.  The most important asset that Gore possesses is his genuine character.  Even when he lost the past election, he did not attempt to rectify the situation.  Gore stoutly conflicted with the Court's decision, he still decided "for the sake of our unity as a people and the strength of our democracy, I offer my concession" (Wikipedia).  His ability to put his interests aside shows a benevolent side to him.  Also his concern for others greatly outweighs his own motives.  This is where his greatest strength lies: his humanity.

Works Cited
Gore, Albert Arnold. “Democratic National Convention Address.” 26 July 2004. American                    Rhetoric. 1 February 2008
	< http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/convention2004/algore2004dnc.htm>.
"Al Gore presidential campaign, 2000." Wikipedia. 5 Feb. 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Gore_presidential_campaign%2C_2000>.