Today's class focused on the art of listening. After taking a listening inventory and discussing why and how we listen, we applied the practice by interviewing a classmate.
Tonight's assignments asks you to listen critically to a speech, analyzing its vocabulary, subject matter, delivery style, and overall presentation ("Listening Critically" worksheet).
You will listen to Ronald Reagan's 1986 speech about the Challenger explosion. Before listening to Reagan's speech, however, read this brief account of the disaster (the Wikipedia entry on the subject is helpful as well), and then watch this short video clip of footage of the explosion.
What were the most effective ways Reagan communicated in this speech?
DUE: Before 8:30am on Wednesday 6/18.
[Photo credit here.]
17 comments:
The way he mostly communicated was by talking to the familys of the space shuttle crew. He talked of how sorry he was and how United States would remember that day as a painful and sorrowful day to lose that crew. You also could see the gestures in his face of sadness. Mircea Bucio
Reagan reached out to all of the people who were concerned and affected by the challenger mission in a sympathetic manner. He used video, his voice, and a empathetic tone to get his point across tothe US.-Sarah H.
He spoke directly to the family, friend, and American citizens. He also showed that he cared for them in his facial expressions, as well as his words.
Ryan Brockman
The most effective ways Reagan communicated in his speech was the emotion he emited. The Nation was captivated by the tragedy and needed to be consoled as a nation. He used the word together to show that he along with the United States were sharing this moment. He also used the word hope to show the continuation of life and progression of a bright future thanks to the brave "pioneers" in this space program.
Sarah McD.
Reagen was quite a good speaker. He had a very soothing voice, and the things that he did while on television only enhanced that. He did not move his hands often, nor did he make many open gestures with his body. However, the lack of extraneous movement helped to emphasize the simplicity of his voice. It created a very good calming affect which would have been necessary if the general populace was angry, which it probably was. He made solid points that would reinforce what had been decided when the people thought about it rationally. The whole message conveyed the sense that those who were suffering were not alone; that there were others who felt sorrow and despair when they thought of the young men and women who had been on that doomed vessel. Reagan elevated those who had died and named them individually, revealing to all the seriousness and the importance of the sacrifice that had been given. Also important was his solemn tone and slow tempo. This showed that he too was in mourning over the tradgedy. Overall, it was his voice and choice of words that spoke most to people so they could move on and would not strike back against the government. Joshua Kee
"Ronald Reagan's speech was communicated in many effective ways. His eyes and his facial expressions showed "us" that he was full of dismay when he was talking about this horrible tragedy and we can see that he was even more in pain when this tragedy took place. Also when he was talking about the crew a lot during his speech, told "us" that he knew these people really well and that they were really special to him" -Addie Brandfield-Harvey
Reagan communicated to his audience by capturing their emotions and their concern. His speaking in a calm and optomistic tone lead the listeners to focus on what he was saying. By showing his emotions, Reagan allowed the listeners to relate to him and therefore pay more attention to what he was saying. His emotions helped him deliver a heart-felt speech and one that was sincere. Reagan's love for the people and the Nation was shown in this video as he displayed his concern for the children and the families.
Lena Allouche
This speech was effective because he identified the crew as both heroes and pioneers of space. He stated each astronauts name and told the families that we are mourning for them. He appealed to the nation by using the pronoun “we”. By using this pronoun he means that he and the whole nation morn the tragedy. He also stated that nothing ends here. By doing this he pre-empted the call to end the space program that many would call for. --David Berry
Reagan communicated most effectively by his tone and the sincere look on his face. From the video you could tell that he was truly sad and wanted to encourage the families and members of NASA.
Alexander Chae
The tone of Reagan's voice and the seriousness of his face helped communicate to everyone the sorrow of that day. He spoke specific groups such as the children of the United States who saw the explosion, the families of the astronauts, and the United States, who he referred to as "we". He even spoke to the group of people who worked with NASA. One of his points was that everyone had been devestated by this. This helped the country know that they we were all in it together.
I think the most effective way that Reagon communicated was the nonverbal communication which he used. his voice was pretty monotone and his facial expression did not change much, which could reflect his mood.
Jinxuan Chen
Chris Leon.
I forgot to sign my name at the bottom of it.
The comment above this is mine.
Ronald Reagan didn't have to plan out an elaborate speech to symapthize with the American people, he genuinely was entirely sympathetic. Reagan felt the same way all the American citizens felt. He was extremely sad but yet he had a little bit of frustation that the mission was a failure and that those brave astronauts died fighting for exploration. Although Reagan felt these emotions, he expertly concealed it under his soothing voice. Reagan did not use many gestures so as to keep from taking away from what he was saying.
Jason Blades
Reagan's eye contact with the viewers engaged one's view in his speech. The fact that his voice remained somewhat the same tone throughout and had a sense of calmness let the listener know that he or she was in a state of protection. He got his points across smoothly and let the United States know without a doubt the whole country is in mourning for this incident, yet NASA and it's explorations were not to stop at one accident. Overall, you could tell the the president himself was deeply saddened, but he was able to lead the United States and not back down despite hard trials.
Caroline Ross
In Ronald Reagan's speech he is communicating to the whole United States, but focuses specifically on the families and others strongly affected by the space shuttle disaster.Throughout his speech he uses a serious but calm tone which helps the viewer remain somewhat relaxed while he is listening. You can also tell from Reagan's eye conact and facial expressions that he is truely mourning over the loss of these brave 7 people.
The last post was by Mary Martin.
Reagan most effectivly comminicated through expressing his emotions; how he felt sorry for the families, how there is still hope, how he is proud of the mean and women that died, and so on. Reagan got accross his emotions through his stern yet simpathetic look on his face, while also providing specific details. Reagan paid tribute to the heroes that had fallen that morning, but he also provided a way to see in to the future in hopes of not having these people die in vain.
Jorge C
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