Julia Gillard's voice

I believe that Julia Gillard's unique tone and sound makes enables her to resonate with the working class of Australia. According to Lucy Cornell (2014), human beings relate to each other by resonating with each other through their voice. In my opinion, the working class community appear to be the most influential population in Australia and I would therefore contribute her success to her ability to resonate with this population.

I agree with the reporters that Ms Gillard has a very tight, small, breathless voice and to not find it particularly aesthetically pleasing. I would be curious to see the affect she would of had on the population if she was able to adopt a more 'Cate Blanchett' like voice. Gillard's rough and rugged exterior was a significant contributor to her achievements in top level politics and I would've been interested to see if she would have had the same effects in a male dominated environment if she were to have expressed more femininity in her voice.

Resources:

YouTube Video - 'Julia Gillard's Voice': http://youtube.com/watch?v=CEybGzg1Nxs, viewed 10th March 2014.

Study Guide Week 1 Activity:

Activity: Summarise, in your own words, the differences between talk and speech. Refer to 

the original definitions, available online at http://www.oxforddictionaries.com. 

 

 

Talk, according to the Oxford Dictionary (2014), is a general term given to all verbal communication. As a verb, talk encompasses the specific actions of speaking to include the verbal communication of ideas and feelings, and formal dealings and discussions. As a noun, talk deals with the broader meaning of communication including conversation, formal negotiations and informal addresses.

 

In contrast to the word 'talk', the noun 'speech' has a much more specific definition. Speech takes in to consideration expression and has a much more formal meaning when used to discuss discourse. Furthermore, speech may also be used to describe a sequence of lines written for a person.

 

Activity: Now, based on your knowledge of the differences between talk and speech, reflect 

on the following: 

• “I’m giving a speech…” 

• “I’m giving a talk…” 

Do you think one is more formal than the other, and why do you think this is the case? 

Would you prepare differently for a ‘speech’ than you would for a ‘talk’? If so, how; if not, 

why not? 

 

To date, I have used the terms speech and talk interchangeably. It is only now that I realise that a distinct difference can be made between the two.

 

In my opinion, if someone were to ask me to prepare a speech, I would assume that it would be to present in a more formal environment as opposed to if I was asked to prepare a talk. Taking in to account the definitions listed above, if someone were to ask me to prepare a speech I would be making my script structure and content very specific, and use formal language. If I were to prepare a talk, I would be more inclined to include personal stories, humour and be less concerned with the language I was using (depending on the audience).

 

 

Resources:

 

Oxford dictionary, 2014 Definition of  speech in English, viewed 9th March 2014, http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/talk?q=speech

Oxford dictionary, 2014 Definition of talk in English, viewed 9th March 2014, http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/speech?q=talk

Introduction!

Hi!

My name is Miffy Galloway and I am currently completing a double Bachelor of Business Specialisation (Marketing) and Bachelor of Professional Communications. I am currently in my 4th year of study and am studying via distance education from Canberra.

I am really excited to expand my knowledge and skills of speech writing as an events coordinator, presenting and script writing is required in my role on a daily basis. Personally, at the end of this course I hope to become more confident in my preparation and delivery of speeches and also in my ability to delve deeper in to the meaning of other people's presentations.

Best of luck to everyone with their studies!

M