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View Full Version : Are there no great orators anymore?




IHaveaDream
01-26-2008, 01:24 PM
Whatever happened to all those great orators of the past who spoke with such eloquence and passion? Is that simply a lost art that no one possesses anymore?

WilliamC
01-26-2008, 01:27 PM
Public schools and television.

No, there are still some out there.

Alan Keys, say what you will of him, is extremely good at public speaking.

Agent CSL
01-26-2008, 01:31 PM
Public schools don't teach public speaking. ;|

LivingFree
01-26-2008, 01:45 PM
Any advice on how to become a good orator?

Agent CSL
01-26-2008, 01:54 PM
Any advice on how to become a good orator?

Practice and pronunciate? (Holy crap, my browser is telling me that "pronunciate (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pronunciate)" isn't a word)
A vast vocabulary is also necessary.

IHaveaDream
01-26-2008, 03:13 PM
I think it takes more than just vernacular mastery to become a good orator. You also need a profound message and the convictions to deliver it with fervor.

It seems to be a rare find these days.

RSLudlum
01-26-2008, 03:18 PM
there's a linguinst name John McWhorter who's written a couple of books concerning this subject...he's appeared on Penn & Teller's Bullshit before,,,,,he's also writtem some books on the Black communities' plight in America

constituent
01-26-2008, 03:28 PM
Any advice on how to become a good orator?

Shakespeare...

as a start.

Conversation...

as a follow-up.

Gadsden Flag
01-26-2008, 03:38 PM
Public schools and television.

No, there are still some out there.

Alan Keys, say what you will of him, is extremely good at public speaking.


I second that! Too bad he supports the Iraq war. Otherwise, he wouldn't be that far from RP on many issues.