Jane Goodall Speaking Critique

On February 2, 2002, Dr. Jane Goodall appeared at Clemson University to speak to the students and public. I will attempt to evaluate her performance as a public speaker. Specifically, I will begin by describing the setting and audience for the event. I will then identify the ways in which Dr. Goodall would be described as an effective public speaker in the context of the textbook, Excellence in Public Speaking. I will then analyze the aspects of her performance that the textbook might have considered lacking. Finally, I will devote a few words to my personal opinion of the effectiveness of Dr. Goodall's presentation.

Naturally, a speaker of Dr. Goodall's prominence was expected to draw quite a crowd. She was speaking at the Brooks center, which, although large, was not expected to have the necessary capacity for all the people who wanted to attend the event. Clemson students got first chance at the tickets, and when the box office opened at 6:30, the line already extended half a mile down the sidewalk. I was fortunate/foresighted enough to pay a Clemson freshman to start standing in line for me at 4:00, so my seat was perfectly centered in the auditorium, seven rows from the front.

The hour-long presentation was ultimately concerned with rallying support for the Jane Goodall