Introduction
Effective and persuasive speeches should have certain elements in order to attract the audience’s attention. Furthermore, the structure and organization of a speech also influence its perception (Griffin, 2014). The purpose of this paper is to analyze the speech by Ron Finley with the focus on its effectiveness to present well-organized ideas, attract attention, and remain memorable.
Attention Grabbers, Purpose, and Tone of the Speech
In his speech, Finley uses appropriate attention grabbers in order to attract the audience. In the first sentences, the speaker focuses on presenting the anecdote about changing the name of South Central. The focus is on accentuating the paradox of this decision of authorities which has no real effects on “a food desert” where Finley lives (TED, 2013). In order to strengthen the effect, Finley uses such tools as visual aids and repetition. Moreover, to draw the audience’s attention to the problem, the speaker also uses statistics.
It is also possible to state that Finley effectively establishes the purpose of his speech while presenting his thesis statement related to the problem of unavailability of healthy food in Los Angeles: “Food is the problem and food is the solution” (TED, 2013). To make the audience interested and involved in his discussion, Finley also pays much attention to his tone, which can be viewed as rather sarcastic, with elements of humor. This approach is effective in making the audience concentrate on his statements.
Organization of the Presentation
Finley has organized his speech using a problem-solution approach. In his thesis statement, the speaker accentuates the problem that has been introduced in the previous statements and a possible solution to discuss (TED, 2013). This organization of the speech is effective in introducing the problem while using statistics and anecdotes. After presenting the solution, Finley discusses his path to implementing it at an individual level. Thus, it is possible to state that this part of the speech is organized with the focus on steps made by Finley to develop his vision of the problem solution (TED, 2013). The speaker accentuates the outcomes of making the first garden in South Central and, adding more details to his story, states that such gardens can address the issue of unavailability of healthy food, and they can serve as educational tools for children.
Organization of Ideas
Finley’s ideas are well-organized. While focusing on a solution to the identified problem, the speaker applies a chronological approach to discussing his path and making conclusions from his experience. Furthermore, his ideas are also memorable. The reason is Finley’s humor and appeals to emotion or pathos (Griffin, 2014). While presenting certain ideas about the necessity of organizing gardens and their role for communities, Finley makes the audience smile, think of the problem, and focus on some feelings. For instance, Finley tells the anecdote about a mother and a daughter who came to his garden at night. This story provokes the audience’s emotional response (TED, 2013). As a result, the ideas stated by the speaker before and after this example become memorable.
Conclusion
The speech by Ron Finley can be discussed as effectively organized while using the problem-solution pattern. Furthermore, the speaker successfully draws the audience’s attention to his ideas with the help of some tools and methods. The main strategies used by Finley include repetition, visual aids, pathos, and humor.
References
Griffin, C. (2014). Invitation to public speaking (5th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.
TED. (2013). A guerilla gardener in South Central LA | Ron Finley [Video file]. Web.