Mass Persuasion: The Power of Public SpeakingOne of the most fundamental forms of human communication, speech, is also l 'one of the most complex and intriguing, both in itself and in its uniqueness, as what many experts would say is the only uniquely human trait. Over thousands of years of existence, humans have developed and refined their speech abilities so that they can convey simple thoughts as well as deep emotions. While almost all humans are capable of speech, some are naturally more gifted at speaking and are able to not only convey their own thoughts and feelings to others, but are also able to impose their ideas and emotions on others so forcefully. tact and determination that the public can be convinced of almost anything. From Roman times to modern-day America, speeches have had the power to motivate and steer their audiences in the necessary direction. Enhanced speaking skills used to influence audiences depend on the skillful use of three basic persuasion techniques: ethos, pathos, and logos, which appeal to ethics, emotion, and personality, respectively. logic of a person. Only when these three techniques are skillfully used can a speaker truly be a great speaker, able to thrive in the face of tragedy and turmoil. However, even with these skills, successful public speaking, especially in tragic situations, can be quite difficult and speakers able to overcome these obstacles are rare, but often rise to great power and fame, such as Brutus and Mark. Antony in the era of ancient Rome and Ronald Reagan in a more modern American context. Brutus showed composure by speaking out directly after the assassination of Julius Caesar carried out by him and a small group of conspirators. He spoke to try to convince the Romans... middle of paper ... seeing as the speaking ability of leaders can often determine their greatness. Public speaking is a functional art form that continues to grow alongside culture, and with the correct use of various strategies, it can persuade any number of people to remain calm in the face of disaster or of uprooting traditional societal values ​​to seek out horrible ideas and ideas. events. In the wrong hands, public speaking will inspire evil and revolution, but in the right hands it can lead men beyond tragedy and loss, through the most difficult times and the most intimidating challenges, and into the unknown of adventure and exploration. towards the future. Works Cited “Reagan’s Address to the Nation.” History.nasa.gov. Ed. Steve Garber. NASA History Office, June 7, 2004. Web. March 12, 2014.Shakespeare, William. The tragedy of Julius Caesar. Austin, Texas: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2000. Print.