How to become a remarkable speaker

    或許你會認為，奧巴馬之所以能當選美國總統，全都要歸功于他杰出的演講才能。追溯到 2004年，當時民主黨的總統候選人還是馬薩諸塞州參議員John Kerry,在一次民主黨全國代表大會上，一位名不見經傳的伊利諾斯州參議員發表了主題演講。那個參議員便是奧巴馬。那是一場十分精彩的演講--詩一般的語言充滿了振奮人心的力量，令人過耳難忘。 YOU might say that one reason Barack Obama is president of the US is because he knows how to give a good speech. In 2004, when Massachusetts Senator John Kerry was the Democratic Party's nominee for the presidency, a little-known senator from Illinois gave the keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention. That senator was Obama. It was a remarkable speech - poetic, and inspiring. The people who heard it would remember it for a long time.

    從2004年開始，奧巴馬至今已創作發表了上萬場演說。這些演講屢獲贊揚的原因大致可歸結為兩點：一，將觀眾視為有智慧的成年人來對待；二，以直率自然的方式來表達復雜難懂的理念。 Since 2004, Obama has written and delivered thousands of speeches. These are usually praised for two reasons: he treats the audiences like intelligent adults, and he is able to express complicated ideas in a straightforward, natural way.

    在當選總統前，奧巴馬曾做過律師、大學教授。他還是一位成功的作家，出版的兩部回憶錄都非常暢銷。正是這些早年在工作中鍛煉出的技能，讓他得以成為一名成功的演說家。 Before becoming president, Obama was a lawyer, a college professor, and a successful writer - his two memoirs have become best-sellers. The skills he needed to succeed in his previous jobs have also contributed to his success as a speechmaker.

    身為律師，奧巴馬懂得如何在辯論中給出令人信服的有力論據。而身為教授，他明白如何將復雜的事物以學生清晰易懂的方式解釋清楚。同時身為作家，他更精通如何用語言打動觀眾。著名流行樂團黑眼豆豆的靈魂人物will.i.am,甚至將奧巴馬早期競選的一篇演講編成了歌曲。 As a lawyer, Obama learned how to make strong, convincing arguments. As a professor, he learned how to explain complex subjects in ways that helped students understand without boring them. As a writer, he learned how to use language to have a powerful impact on his audience. Star musician will.i.am even turned one of Obama's early speeches into a song during the election campaign.

    奧巴馬在各種大大小小的場合都發表過演說。他既能使人捧腹，也可以催人淚下。無論在什么場合，他的演講總是那么得體，思想與文筆交相輝映。 Obama delivers speeches to audiences large and small. He can make his audiences laugh or cry. His speeches are always thoughtful, well written, and just right for each occasion.

    奧巴馬的秘密武器 Secret weapon

    提詞器：無論去哪里，奧巴馬都隨身攜帶提詞器。每次外出演講，他都會帶著這個筆記本大小的方形玻璃裝置，里面有備好的演講摘要。 Teleprompter: Obama doesn't go anywhere without his Teleprompter. The textbook-sized panes of glass holding the president's prepared remarks follow him wherever he goes to speak.

    寫作團隊：該團隊專門負責為奧巴馬撰寫演講稿。演講前，他們會和奧巴馬座談數小時，充分了解他想要表達的內容。之后，他們還要聽過去的總統演講錄音，并向顧問尋求建議。奧巴馬通常會對出來的草稿再進行數次編輯改寫。 Writing team: Obama has a team of people who write his speeches. The writers chat with Obama for hours about what he wants to say. They listen to recordings of past presidential addresses and seek advice from advisers. Obama usually edits and rewrites the drafts several times.

    如何在輕松愉快的演講中傳達你的信息？奧巴馬自有妙招： Obama's tricks for a lighthearted speech that stays on message:

    打趣來賓：奧巴馬經常在演講一開始打趣來賓。這樣一來，他的開場白不僅能成功吸引聽眾們的注意力，還可以讓他們放松下來，彼此會心一笑。 Make fun of the guests: Obama starts his speech by gently teasing his guests. His opening lines grab the audience's attention while giving them an opportunity to relax and laugh at themselves and each other.

    拿別人開涮的同時，也別忘了自嘲：對一個演講者而言，如果你想要拿其他人打趣，那么一定別忘了也要來自嘲一下。奧巴馬曾嘲笑自己在商務部長提名上沒有太多選擇，他說："在這么短的時間內任命3位商務部長，恐怕我是頭一個了。"實情是，前兩位被提名者都由于種種原因而推掉了。結果任命商務部長這么一件本應很順暢的事，卻成了奧巴馬政府的老大難。 Make fun of yourself: A good rule for speechmakers: If you're going to make a joke about someone else, be sure to make one about yourself, too. Obama mocks his own poor choices for filling the position of Commerce Secretary, saying, "No President in history has ever named three Commerce Secretaries this quickly." In fact, his first two nominees for the position withdrew their names for different reasons. In a process that had otherwise gone smoothly, the Obama Administration was tripped up by the problem of filling the Commerce seat.