VERSION|0.5.1|NAME|Dinah|DATE|1377595196|CONTENT|I remember in the days of my youth studying Shakespeare’s ‘Julius Caesar’ and analysing the speeches given by Brutus and then Mark Anthony over the body of the recently assassinated Caesar.  The upshot was that while Brutus appealed to the reason and rationality of the crowd, Mark Anthony whipped up their emotions and worked them up into a frenzy.  Not surprisingly, Mark Anthony’s speech was the more effective.  Although the Reverend King’s heart was undoubtedly in the right place, he did not hesitate to use his skills of oratory  like tricks of repetition, emphasis and the use of colourful, emotive language in order to achieve the desired effect.  Oratory, like most human talents, can be used for good and evil purposes – one only has to think of the mass rallies organised by the Nazis, where Hitler ranted and bellowed in front of an adoring crowd.  While there are undoubtedly some who are more naturally able to win over an audience, it is possible to study oratorical skills and learn how to incorporate them into one’s own speeches.

In these days of sound-bites and instant, global communications, the crafted, perfected speech has tended to retreat into academia and literary festivals.  Politicians are expected to give immediate reactions to events and do not have the time to hone and craft their words except on occasions like party conferences and staged appearances outside of Number 10 and 11.  The staged church sermon is still with us however, and usually the hecklers stay away.
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