DEPLOY ANCIENT RHETORICS: Radtai’s Top 10 Acting Tips
4) Deploy Ancient Rhetorics
Not only a great lesson for public speakers, Martin Luther King Jr’s Speech “I Have A Dream” is also a great example of what Good Acting should be or sound like.Why? Let’s use Aristotle’s “Rhetorics” or the art of persuasion as a checklists.
Firstly, we are convinced that King believes wholeheartedly in what he says, in part because he is a black person who struggles for his rights, and in part because of his compelling presence. He appears confident, well-dressed and well groomed. This is called “Ethos” or character which makes audiences would love to watch you.
Secondly, the speech is very well written, all ideas is very well thought through, and on top of it, it keeps referring words such as “today”, “now” and “now is the time” all of which brings everyone back to the presence. And I believe it is because King shares a very deep sense of connection with all ideas in the speech, and really has the need to shed light on them so that he delivers it with clarity, simplicity and authenticity. This is called “Logos” or logics and ideas which makes audiences understand you and follow you through the whole story.
Finally, the emotion goes along with the speech very well. The delivery is not vulgar, and it is not plain, either. It is a well-balance between words and emotions in the words. It is not too sentimental or intense as King focuses on implementing logics in the speech, rather than drama. So that the “Pathos” or passion in the speech is delivered with a good taste. Audiences are engaged, moved by it, and as a results, they would love to see more.
In conclusion, you can use Rhetorics to check whether your acting is delivered with a good taste by asking yourself 3 questions:
- Does your overall appearance is convincing enough to persuade audiences to believe in what you are going to perform?
- Do you understand all ideas in the speech clear enough so you can demonstrate it with clarity, simplicity and confidence?
- Does your emotional response resonates well with all the words?
