This month marks two years since 14-year-old schoolgirl Malala was gunned down by a Taliban fighter in Pakistan for standing up for her right to education.
Two years later, 10 October 2014, Malala, now a 16-year-old schoolgirl, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. It was not her first award, nor was it her first (thank you) speech. All the more reason to take a closer look at her rhetorical skills. First, Malala Yousafzai's most famous speech, which she delivered to young people and envoys of the (there they are again) United Nations. The UN speech lasts 18 minutes and the endless series of thanks to family and world leaders does not, on first hearing, seem to be the most engaging part of this talk. Butrr....
..This laundry list of thanks is no accident. What is most striking about Malala's style is that she repeats a word or phrase. Like ' fear' or ' right' or 'dreams'.
What also stands out is that she screams, for the full 18 minutes. The question is, why? Is it nerves or is drive? Has the bullet resulted in hearing damage or does she normally speak without a microphone? Is it a cultural or age difference? The technical quality of a speech is sometimes very difficult to judge if you don't know the context.
What is particularly noticeable is the persuasiveness. I see no trace of nervousness, just pure conviction. She doesn't need a peek at a sheet of paper. She knows the text by heart, or more accurately described, by heart. She has no reluctance to use big words and to place herself in a tradition of do-gooders and peacemakers.
Even without knowing all the background and details, this speech is, in a word; impressive. Context remains important. In the thank-you speech for her Nobel Prize, the volume is acceptable and there is more calmness. (Speaking before the UN cannot help but be stressful. ) There is even room for an attempt at a joke.
http://youtu.be/66tIRTm91F8?t=2m40s
Those wondering if this inspired and somewhat thick-set manner of speaking is from after the assassination attempt (and the accompanying publicity maelstrom) just watch this clip.
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