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No matter how to classify speech, political speech is one sub-category of public speech that of great importance. However until now there is no consensus on what a political speech is.
2.2 Characteristics of Political Speech
As a type of public speech, political speech contains many features of public speech. Public speech present features of formal written language while exhibiting characteristic of the spoken (Xu 1997). Public speaking focuses on one subject with highly structured format and more formal language, and delivery is made more effectively. Public speaking shows the characteristics of the written mode with its closely-knit structure and formal language. In addition, public speaking differs from the written language in which the writer cannot respond to readers’ immediate feedback or rely on skillful vocal delivery while it is possible in public speech that the speaker responds to non-verbal signals (facial expression of incomprehension or boredom); sometimes feedback in the way of laughter and applause (Xu 1997).
Although political speech definitely shares the general features of public speech, it has its distinctive features. Political speech aims to achieve specific political goals in social life, so it possesses some particular features. Political speeches are usually eloquent and motivational, which encourage the audience accept their views and opinions and take action with his distinct and steadfast position. Moreover it uses strict and strong logical arguments to persuade, and to conquer the audience. To conclude, political speech has three features——distinct political views, eloquent and rigorous logic and passionate, intense inspiring power and polite utterance.
2.2.1 Distinct Political Views
Political speech aims to promote his own party, group or inpidual's political views and opinions, to persuade and encourage the audience, so that they accepted the speech’s thought and put it into action. Good political speech, therefore, always has great thinking capacity, incisive political opinions and unequivocal stance. English politician, Winston Churchill said in his speech that, “You ask, what is our policy? I can say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I call answer in one word: It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.” (Churchill’s first speech as Prime Minister on May 13, 1940 to House of Commons) He distinctively expresses his determination to achieve victory at all costs.
2.2.2 Eloquent and Rigorous Logic
Eloquent and rigorous logic is another feature of successful political speeches. Especially in those debatable political speeches, if one wants to win, it’s not enough for him to only have truth in hand. He must have the dialectical thinking, rigorous logic, clever strategies and trenchant language, etc. John F. Kennedy said in his inaugural speech, “my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”(John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address on January 20th, 1961) By using dialectical thinking, eloquent language, the speaker appeals people to undertake more obligations, and to make more sacrifices for the country's development.