The investigation stems from a simple thought: presidents regularly do public speaking, but how do they view it? The answers offer a nuanced look into presidential rhetoric about presidential rhetoric—and in the process, we are offered new ways of thinking about the way we view, do, and teach speech.
Josh Compton & Brian Kaylor
https://speechandtheatremo.org/journal-archive/
Presidents do public speaking, of course, but how do presidents view public speaking? This essay examines public presidential remarks about public speaking to offer a view of presidential rhetoric about rhetoric. This analysis reveals that presidents have offered evaluations (implicit and explicit) of public speaking, as well as specific advice about giving and writing speeches. Excerpts from speeches and other remarks are included, with representation from Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Johnson, Carter, Reagan, H. W. Bush, Clinton, W. Bush, and Obama. Considering presidential remarks about public speaking provides unique material to further inform how we teach, view, study, and do public speaking.
Compton, J., & Kaylor, B. (2012). Presidents as speech professors: United States presidents’ public statements about public speaking. STAM Journal, 42, 1-19.
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