a riveting speech

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a riveting speech" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a speech that is extremely interesting or engaging, capturing the audience's attention. Example: "The politician delivered a riveting speech that left the audience in awe and inspired them to take action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

A debate in the House of Commons took place the first two days of March, and Churchill gave a riveting speech on why Britain must have these new weapons.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A couple days ago, he gave a riveting speech at the Heritage Foundation, about the inevitability of nuclear warfare and the wussiness of democracies, which refuse to take action (all of them).

The New Yorker

Having witnessed his father physically abuse his mother as a child, Stewart gave a riveting speech for Amnesty International UK in October 2009.

Huffington Post

Michelle Obama brought down the house at the Democratic National Convention on Monday night with a riveting speech about strength, diversity and unity. .

Huffington Post

In a riveting speech, which was punctuated by loud catcalls from the Conservative benches, Brown said he had been thwarted during his tenure as Prime Minister from investigating News International's criminality.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

A riveting, memorable speech?

Huffington Post

Watson gave another riveting speech Tuesday night in honor of HeForShe's new Impact 10x10x10 initiative, which aims to achieve gender parity in universities around the world.

Huffington Post

Her riveting speeches galvanized activists from the hollers to the urban neighborhoods, and among national environmental organizations.

Huffington Post

But, for anyone watching the televised closeups of the attentive conventioneers as they listened to the speeches, it was a riveting and moving experience, the best part of the show.

The New Yorker

Clare Foges here, Times columnist, Christian beat poet and one-time David Cameron speech-writer, with a riveting read about how the autocratic big boys might be onto something.

Vice

Gillard's "Misogyny" speech, as it's become known - a riveting piece of political rhetoric, delivered to the House of Representatives in 2012 - has already been seen by millions worldwide.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a riveting speech" to describe presentations that not only inform but also deeply engage and emotionally connect with the audience. For instance, use it when a speaker uses storytelling, powerful rhetoric, or unveils crucial information in a compelling manner.

Common error

Avoid using "a riveting speech" to describe every presentation. Save it for instances where the speech truly stands out due to its exceptional quality, delivery, or impact. Overusing it dilutes its impact and can make your writing seem hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a riveting speech" functions as a noun phrase, where "riveting" acts as a descriptive adjective modifying the noun "speech". Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It highlights the engaging and captivating nature of the speech.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a riveting speech" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for describing a particularly engaging and captivating speech. Ludwig AI analysis and usage examples from sources like the Huffington Post and Encyclopedia Britannica confirm its validity, though it is not extremely common. It primarily functions to praise and emphasize the speech's impact. When employing this phrase, consider the context and ensure it accurately reflects the speech's exceptional quality to avoid overuse. Alternatives like "a captivating address" or "an enthralling presentation" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a captivating address

Replaces "speech" with "address", implying a more formal and structured delivery.

an enthralling presentation

Substitutes "riveting" with "enthralling" and "speech" with "presentation", highlighting the captivating nature of the talk.

a spellbinding oration

Emphasizes the powerful and almost magical quality of the speech through the use of "spellbinding" and "oration".

a compelling discourse

Focuses on the persuasive and convincing aspect of the speech by using "compelling" and "discourse".

an absorbing lecture

Suggests a speech that holds the audience's attention completely, using "absorbing" and "lecture".

a fascinating talk

Replaces "riveting" with "fascinating", indicating a high level of interest and intrigue.

a gripping monologue

Implies a speech delivered by one person that holds the audience's attention tightly, using "gripping" and "monologue".

an impressive delivery

Focuses on the skill and impact of the speaker's performance, rather than the content itself.

a memorable address

Highlights the lasting impact and significance of the speech.

a powerful statement

Emphasizes the strength and influence of the message conveyed in the speech.

FAQs

How can I describe a speech that's merely good, not extraordinary?

For speeches that are effective but not exceptionally captivating, use terms like "an effective speech", "a well-delivered speech", or "a competent speech".

What's the difference between "a riveting speech" and "a good speech"?

"A good speech" indicates basic competence and effectiveness, while "a riveting speech" suggests a high degree of captivation and engagement, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

Can "a riveting speech" apply to written text?

While typically used for spoken presentations, "a riveting speech" can metaphorically describe written content that reads with the power and engagement of a live oration, though it's less common.

What are some other ways to describe an engaging speech?

Alternatives include "a captivating address", "an enthralling presentation", or "a spellbinding oration", each emphasizing a slightly different aspect of the speech's impact.