tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245160260110720200.post1123807275134226407..comments2023-06-01T13:07:10.363-04:00Comments on The Bully Pulpit: Elements - Moving GingerlyTom Shanahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671643507239783999noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245160260110720200.post-16951471131085215512009-08-16T11:20:53.722-04:002009-08-16T11:20:53.722-04:00Marc, thanks for the comment. I would agree that n...Marc, thanks for the comment. I would agree that not everyone is culturally literate. There are probably some out there who believe the Gettysburg address was where President Lincoln had his vacation home!<br /><br />Fortunately for most public speakers, those folks less fluent in cultural literacy usually don't show up to hear public speakers. Which still doesn't absolve the speech writer of the duty of seeking a common understanding for the audience.<br /><br />Thanks again for your comment, Mark!<br /><br />From The Bully Pulpit - TomTom Shanahanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09671643507239783999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245160260110720200.post-86267046281702736142009-08-15T23:00:02.093-04:002009-08-15T23:00:02.093-04:00I agree with Tom. There is a book about our educa...I agree with Tom. There is a book about our education system called "Cultural Literacy" and the main theme is how we must all assume a certain level of understanding of the world around us that is commonplace. However, not everyone is culturally literate, and therefore a speaker who assumes an audience member has a certain foundational knowledge can talk over that audience members head.Marc Alessihttp://www.marcalessi.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245160260110720200.post-35032603590102235242009-08-07T13:42:56.026-04:002009-08-07T13:42:56.026-04:00JD - Thanks for your comment, but that's not e...JD - Thanks for your comment, but that's not exactly what I said.<br />I said "Common understanding is key to communication," which I think most would agree is certainly true. The sentence went on to say "That," meaning communication, "is the ultimate purpose of every good speech." I think you would have to agree that communication, no matter the motives - whether ulterior, nefarious, or benevolent, is the purpose of every good speech. After all, why give a speech if it is not to communicate something to the audience?<br /><br />I do have to agree with you that some good speeches have been written to alter opinion, and/or manipulate one's understanding and not establish a "common" understanding. The Gettysburg address was one such.<br /><br />My point is not that the purpose of a speech is to create a "common understanding," but that a common understanding about certain elements of language is necessary, to create a speech!<br /><br />A very different thing, indeed. Thanks again for commenting.Tom Shanahanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09671643507239783999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245160260110720200.post-6841190753995919932009-08-07T10:29:48.087-04:002009-08-07T10:29:48.087-04:00I disagree that "common understanding" i...I disagree that "common understanding" is the ultimate purpose of every good speech. Driven by ulterior motives, some good speeches have been written to alter opinion, and/or manipulate one's understanding and not establish a *common* understanding. And ironically, such devilish tactics are posed, ever so "gingerly."<br /><br />JDJames Daehnhttp://www.jamesdaehn.comnoreply@blogger.com