Problem
View Zach Wahls's February 1, 2011 speech to the Iowa House of Representatives. We will analyze this speech to illustrate points about effective delivery. Zach Wahls Speaks About Family, YouTube, 2011On February 1, 2011, Zach Wahls, a native Iowan raised by two women, spoke to the Iowa House of Representatives during a hearing on same-sex marriage. A student at the University of Iowa at the time, Wahls delivered a clear, impassioned speech that still stands as a model of effective public speaking. The speech not only made headlines across the country, but it also turned Wahls into a prominent advocate.As you watch the speech, pay special attention to Wahls's delivery. Please note Wahls's expert delivery does not call attention to itself, but conveys his ideas clearly, convincingly, and without distracting the audience. After viewing the video:
YouTube Video: "Zach Wahls Speaks About Family".
1) Analyze Wahls's vocal variety, strategic pauses, natural gestures, and eye contact.
2) After you analyze a strategy, be certain to give a specific example from the speech to support your evaluation.
Special Note: Some of you may have difficulty focusing on Wahls's delivery because of the issue he is addressing. The purpose of the exercise is not to debate the merits of Wahls's position, but to analyze the manner in which he presents the speech. Discussing this speech allows us to bridge the gap between the principles of public speaking presented in the textbook and the application of those principles by a student speaker in a prominent public forum.