Forensic Speaking: The Case of Margaret Thatcher - Teaching Note

Distinct Styles of Public Speaking According to classical writer Quintilian, "The orator should use the plain style to instruct, the grand style to move, and the intermediate style to charm." In examining the speaking styles of modern leaders, whether in business, politics, religion or any other area of public life, we need to take into consideration the circumstances of their speaking engagements. Usually, speakers are better at and more comfortable with one or two styles rather than all three. Personalities such as Margaret Thatcher, Helmut Schmidt and Al Gore were remarkably good at using the plain (or forensic, as it is sometimes called) style. Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, and Barack Obama have all displayed a grand, oratorical style of speaking as well as the intermediate, "charming" style. Harold Macmillan (U.K. prime minister from 1957 to 1963) could be classified as the epitome of a charming speaker, fitting Quintilian's intermediate style perfectly; indeed, that is what he was famous for. Nevertheless, he was also quite effective at the grand style. One question that may interest us when considering these three styles of speaking is where we stand in regard to them: "How good are we at making our case to different types of audiences?" This case looks at the effectiveness of a forensic style of speaking through the life and times of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. It poses the question, "When does the forensic style, as opposed to the alternatives (grand or intermediate), best serve us?" Another question is, can an effective forensic speaker really become charming in an authentic way? Also, we ask, is it really possible for forensic speakers to change their argumentative style to a more charming one (as in the intermediate style), or to a more motivating one (as in the grand style), according to circumstances and needs? Finally, what is the relationship, if any, between our personality type and our speaking style?
Collection: IESE (España)
Ref: DPOT-63-E
Format: PDF
Number of pages: 4
Publication Date: Jul 16, 2013
Language: English

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Distinct Styles of Public Speaking According to classical writer Quintilian, "The orator should use the plain style to instruct, the grand style to move, and the intermediate style to charm." In examining the speaking styles of modern leaders, whether in business, politics, religion or any other area of public life, we need to take into consideration the circumstances of their speaking engagements. Usually, speakers are better at and more comfortable with one or two styles rather than all three. Personalities such as Margaret Thatcher, Helmut Schmidt and Al Gore were remarkably good at using the plain (or forensic, as it is sometimes called) style. Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, and Barack Obama have all displayed a grand, oratorical style of speaking as well as the intermediate, "charming" style. Harold Macmillan (U.K. prime minister from 1957 to 1963) could be classified as the epitome of a charming speaker, fitting Quintilian's intermediate style perfectly; indeed, that is what he was famous for. Nevertheless, he was also quite effective at the grand style. One question that may interest us when considering these three styles of speaking is where we stand in regard to them: "How good are we at making our case to different types of audiences?" This case looks at the effectiveness of a forensic style of speaking through the life and times of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. It poses the question, "When does the forensic style, as opposed to the alternatives (grand or intermediate), best serve us?" Another question is, can an effective forensic speaker really become charming in an authentic way? Also, we ask, is it really possible for forensic speakers to change their argumentative style to a more charming one (as in the intermediate style), or to a more motivating one (as in the grand style), according to circumstances and needs? Finally, what is the relationship, if any, between our personality type and our speaking style?
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"Forensic Speaking: The Case of Margaret Thatcher - Teaching Note"