Commemorating Holocaust Victims
Elie Wiesel’s speech is a powerful and moving address highlighting the dangers of apathy in the face of injustice. Wiesel commemorates those who perished in the Holocaust and brings their humanity to light by sharing his personal experience. His speech is appropriately structured and has an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Wiesel emphasizes that being indifferent is not only ethically wrong but also poses a serious threat to humankind by drawing on his personal experiences as a Holocaust survivor.
Inspiring the Audience
The second criterion is to inspire the audience with concepts or principles related to the person or event being remembered. The main task of this speech is to build enthusiasm for the upcoming speaker and their topic and establish a welcoming climate that will boost the speaker’s credibility (Lucas, 2023, p. 344). The writer exhorts us to remember both the Holocaust victims and those who fought back against it.
Eliciting Appropriate Emotions
The third criterion is to evoke emotions appropriate to the occasion. Wiesel ensures that people will not forget what occurred during the Holocaust by eliciting powerful emotions of regret and responsibility. To make a speech effective, a good speaker must also connect with their audience by using humor where necessary while still maintaining respect for those being commemorated during weighty moments in their lives, such as funerals (Lucas, 2023). However, in Wiesel’s case, it is not relevant.
Balancing Clarity, Solemnity, and Inspiration
The fourth criterion is utilizing language appropriate for the speaker and the audience (Lucas, 2023). He speaks in plain, straightforward language that is simple to comprehend but also strong and emotive. Although he uses a solemn tone, he occasionally presents moments of inspiration and optimism.
Employing Effective Delivery Techniques
Using proper delivery methods is the final requirement (Lucas, 2023). The majority of Wiesel’s speech is delivered with calm and calculated passion, but near the end, when he urges listeners to take action against genocide, he becomes more emotional. At crucial points in his speech, Wiesel changes his tone and pace to maximize the effect of his message.
Reference
Lucas, S. (2023). The art of public speaking. McGraw-Hill Education.