![]() Instead of “awful” or “terrible,” he says, “very bad.” Instead of “excellently” or “effectively,” he says, “very well.” Instead of “outstanding” or “exceptional,” he says, “very good.” Isocrates said that one’s words reveal the quality of the speaker’s thinking, in which case we would need to infer that Trump’s plain style indicates simplistic thinking.Ĭillizza: Does he do anything rhetorically different in a formal speech like SOTU versus a speech at a campaign rally? An example of his limited vocabulary is his over-reliance on the word “very” to modify simple adjectives. He speaks bluntly, uses a limited vocabulary, and his syntax varies between tortured (when speaking extemporaneously) to simple (when scripted). ![]() Trump’s speaking manner falls into the Plain style. Most presidents aim for the Middle style, which Cicero suggests avoids ornateness but is still “pleasing” to the audience. Kennedy’s inaugural and Ronald Reagan’s Challenger eulogy are in that tradition. The Grand style is rarely used by US presidents in the past 100 years, but John F. Schiappa: Cicero described three styles of speaking – the Grand, Middle, and Plain, based on vocabulary, sentence structure, manner of delivery, and sophistication of the ideas expressed. Click to subscribe!Ĭillizza: Let’s start simple: How would you describe President Trump’s speaking style? THE POINT - NOW ON YOUTUBE! In each episode of his weekly YouTube show, Chris Cillizza will delve a little deeper into the surreal world of politics.
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