Many internal aspects are emphasized in the ranking criteria for each speech. The intended audience and the speech's relatability come first. Is it anything that the typical person would care about? Is it just applicable to a specific demographic? As a result, the speech's message must be important and grab the audience's attention. The goal must be clear and strong, illustrating a point and justifying it with specific details. Does the speech persuade the listener by using rhetorical devices? Finally, when it comes to evaluating speeches, tone matters a lot. Is the message properly conveyed in the speech? Is it possible to relate to the words because of the speaker's tone?
Michelle Obama's education speech had the greatest theme, relatability, and tone. First, the speech’s theme was relatable to vast individuals, delivered to Columbia Heights Education Campus students and published to youth worldwide. Michelle Obama is a well-known personality who inspires students of all ages. As a result of their belief and trust in her, they are taking in her powerful message, demonstrating ethos. Next, her use of rhetorical devices to convey a significant message about education was powerful and thoughtful. Obama used pathos and logos to convey a message. Using emotion to describe past experiences and logical reasoning behind education, "I want to hear about your dreams" and "We’ve slipped [in education]," exclaimed Obama. The use of structure was also present, with a clear and welcoming introduction with a friendly conclusion. Obama inquires, "How are you doing?" The use of tone and attention was significant throughout the speech. Obama turned negatives into positives. "Instead, it was going to be up to me to reach my goal," exclaimed Obama. Demonstrating to the youth that problems can be overcome by using an example of her childhood. Due to its greatest relatability, theme, and tone, Obama's speech proved to have the greatest substantial impact.
The speech "I Have a Dream" by Martin Luther King conveyed a clear message to a specific audience; however, the tone utilized was not superior. Martin Luther King underlines his ongoing devotion to freedom and equality for everyone. "But one hundred years later, the black man is still not free", he says. To get his message through, Martin Luther King utilized a variety of rhetorical devices. This involves the use of repetition in the form of repeating lines. For example, he repeats, "I have a dream". Then he uses ethos and pathos, being well-known and creditable among African Americans and displaying emotions while speaking. Following, the target audience's relatability was thorough and memorable. Martin Luther King Jr. is advocating for change and alerting a broad audience about what is to come. He raises awareness about racial discrimination and violence in the United States. He states, "No, no, we are not satisfied". Although, Martin Luther King addresses his audience as if he were shouting at them. His tone of voice has an influence on the speech since he is instructing them rather than informing them, making listeners feel less attentive. Martin Luther King presented an important message to his audience, although he used an unfitting tone.
Barack Obama's virtual commencement speech had a powerful message, but it lacked a broad audience and an engaging tone. The speech's content was comprehensive, offering guidance and encouraging graduates to face their fears. Obama stressed the significance of doing the right thing and expressed his excitement for the future. He used ethos, pathos, and logos to enlighten the next generation. Although the usage of ethos stood out the most, his reputation as a past president. After that, a criticism would be that the speech's intended audience was quite particular, specifically the Class of 2020. This is related to the coronavirus pandemic and the global changes that unfolded. "If you’d planned on going away for college, getting dropped off at campus in the fall, that’s no longer a given," said Obama. As a result, the average reader who is not a member of the Class of 2020 will find the speech difficult to understand. Finally, the tone was very relaxed and adaptable but lacked much meaning due to the virtual circumstances. Without the background noises and the live aspect, the speech fell short. Given the situation, Barack Obama conveyed a well-meaning message.