Beginning summary

In the beginning of her speech, Viola says that history is not the past but the present, and we take history with us. We are a part of our environment, including our triumphs, battles, and experiences. We are also the product of silence and apathy, as well as the put down dreams and ideas of our ancestors. Viola suggests two paths people often take: the "save the world" approach, where they focus on their success and status, or the "save the world" approach, where they focus on the bad stuff, such as racism and mental illness. Both paths result in well-intended, bright, enthusiastic people doing nothing.

Middle summary

she states that Owning the past, both good and bad, is important for addressing the issues of slavery, Jim Crow, and hate. It involves recognizing the history of the problems of such things, allowing for for apologizes , and empathy. This passion fuels bravery and the fight for change. The world is broken because we are all broken, and it is essential to study the social and political history of modern times to understand the challenges faced by women. Suicide rates, reproductive rights, pay, healthcare, and worth are all at risk. Sex trafficking has risen by 846% in the last five years, with women of color being the most affected. Graduating from a school that focuses on diplomas and diplomas can lead to disillusionment, exhaustion, isolation, and loss of passion.

End summary

she says Living life for something bigger than oneself is a hero's journey, involving adventure, facing fears, and facing the ultimate battle. A person must put all celebrations aside to prepare for the road back. The reward is the gift to the ordinary world, which is the Holy Grail or elixir. The speaker shares their experience of poverty, where they were invisible and had no access to resources. They recall a moment when they were nine years old, when they were screamed at their parents, and they decided to count to 10 before God took their life. This experience allowed them to gain vision, strength, and forgiveness, allowing them to remember the hardships of poverty, trauma, and alcoholism. The speaker emphasizes that understanding people is only possible if one feels them in themselves. Joseph Campbell suggests that one can follow the hero-path, finding a god, slaying oneself, and coming to the center of their own existence. The speaker also shares a personal experience of jumping out of a plane, stating that the elixir is to leave something for people or leave something in people.

1. Use of Ethos: Viola Davis often establishes her credibility by referencing her background, accomplishments, and struggles, which resonates with the audience and makes her message more authentic.

2. Diction: Her choice of words is typically powerful and emotive, which can deeply impact the audience. She may use strong verbs and vivid descriptions to paint a picture and evoke emotions.

3. Use of Motif: Davis might weave a recurring element or theme throughout her speech, such as the concept of 'owning your story,' which underscores her message and makes it more memorable. By employing these techniques, Davis's speech would not only captivate the audience but also inspire and motivate them to act or reflect on her message.

The “Make Your Bed” speech by US Navy Admiral, William H. McRaven, outlines the importance of doing the little things like making your bed, embracing the fears of life, taking risks, facing bullying, respecting others, and changing the world for generations to come.

Beginning summary

The speaker, a Navy SEAL, has been at the University of Texas (UT) for nearly 37 years. He graduated from UT with almost 8,000 students, which means that if every student makes a difference in the lives of 10 people, they can change the lives of 800 million people in five generations. This is equivalent to over twice the population of the United States going one more generation and changing the entire population of the world. The speaker believes that changing the world can happen anywhere and anyone can do it. He shares some lessons learned during his time in the military, which apply to all individuals. Basic SEAL training in California, which is six months of intense training, is a lifetime of challenges. The speaker shares 10 lessons learned from basic training that can be valuable for moving forward in life. One of the lessons learned is the importance of making your bed every morning. This simple act of making your bed every morning can give you a small sense of pride and encourage you to do other tasks. Making your bed also reinforces the fact that the little things in life matter. By doing so, you can make a significant impact on the world and the lives of those around you.

Middle summary

They must paddle several miles down the coast, synchronizing their paddles to the stroke count of the coxswain. To change the world, one must find someone to help them paddle. The best boat crew was made up of little guys, known as the munchkin crew, who outpaced and out swam all other boat crews. SEAL training is a great equalizer, focusing on the will to succeed, not the size of their flippers. Instructors conduct uniform inspections several times a week, but some solders still fail due to insufficient effort. This is because they don't understand the purpose of the drill and believe that they won't succeed. During training, trainees are challenged with multiple physical events, such as long runs, swims, obstacle courses, and hours of calisthenics. If they fail to meet standards, they are posted on a list and invited to a circus. A circus is two hours of additional calisthenics designed to wear them down and force them to quit. However, those who do two hours of extras build inner strength and physical resiliency. Failure is inevitable, painful, and discouraging. However, if you want to change the world, don't be afraid of the circuses. The obstacle course, which contained 25 obstacles, was the most challenging. The record for the obstacle course had stood for years when the class began in 1977.

Ending summary

A student broke a record by sliding down a rope head first, demonstrating the importance of overcoming obstacles. During land warfare training, students were flown to San Clemente Island, a breeding ground for great white sharks. To pass SEAL training, they had to complete long swims, including the night swim, where they had to deal with sharks and stand their ground. Under the keel, the darkest part of the ship, SEALs had to be calm and composed to be successful. Hell week, a nine-day training period, was filled with constant harassment and mud. On a special day, the students were ordered into the mudflats, where they had to sing to survive. The power of one person, like Malala, can change the world by giving hope. A brass bell in SEAL training allowed students to quit and leave the mudflats. To change the world, start each day with a task completed, find someone to help, respect everyone, and never give up. By doing these things, the next generation and generations that follow will live in a world far better than the one we have today.

Rhetorical Techniques: 1. Ethos: Admiral McRaven establishes his credibility immediately by referencing his extensive military background and experience as a Navy SEAL. This background is critical in lending authority to his advice and commands respect from the audience. 2. Anecdotes and Hyperbole: McRaven uses vivid anecdotes from his SEAL training to illustrate larger life lessons, making the speech more engaging and memorable. His use of hyperbole, such as when he suggests that making your bed can change the world, grabs attention and emphasizes the importance of small, disciplined actions. 3. Repetition and Motif: A key rhetorical device McRaven uses is the repetition of the phrase "If you want to change the world," which serves as a refrain throughout the speech. This, coupled with the motif of the lessons learned from basic SEAL training, effectively hammers home his message of personal responsibility and the ripple effect of individual actions. These techniques work together to make Admiral McRaven's speech persuasive, convincing, and engaging by establishing trust, creating emotional connections, and reinforcing his core messages through memorable storytelling and structured repetition.

The speaker delivers a commencement address to the University of Southern California's graduating class of 2017. He apologizes to parents who may question his appearance and acknowledges his honorary doctorate. He also acknowledges fellow honorary doctorates, Suzanne Dworak-Peck, Dr. Gary Michelson, Mark Ridley Thomas, David Ho, and Dame Helen Mirren. Ferrell, a renowned actor, is honored with the honorary doctorate and is legally obligated to perform minimally invasive surgery at the end of ceremonies. He also mentions his experience at other institutions, including Bryman School of Nursing, DeVry Technical School, Debbie Dudeson School of Trucking, University of Phoenix, Hollywood DJ Academy, and Trump University.

Middle summary

Will Ferrell, a former freshman at USC, is a surreal speaker who graduates in 2017 with a degree in Sports Information. He is an elite group with a high dropout rate and a difficult program. Ferrell moved back home to Irvine, California, with a supportive mother who recognized his passion for comedy. His journey began on campus, where he would make friends laugh and interrupt lectures. He would barge in on his professor's class, a professor who co-edited the Norton Anthology of American literature. Despite the unexpected invitation, Ferrell was praised by his professor, Ronald Gottesman, who loved his humor and invited him to continue his comedy career.

End summary The author shares his journey from a power drill to becoming a comedic actor. He was encouraged by a professor to interrupt his class, which led him to discover the comedy and improv troupe called the Groundlings. He was awed by the actors and found it thrilling to be on stage. He began performing in various shows and even tried stand-up comedy. Despite his initial fear of failure, he never gave up. In 1995, he was hired to the cast of Saturday Night Live, despite facing criticism and a rocky beginning. He faced criticism from critics like Tom Shales and the Washington Post, but he continued to work on his acting skills. Despite leaving SNL, no studios were willing to take him as a comedy star. He left with a movie called Old School and a sub-par script. He still loses out on parts he wants, such as Queen Elizabeth in The Queen. His definition of success is his 16-and-a-half-year marriage to his wife, three sons, and involvement in the charity Cancer for College.

Rhetorical Techniques:

1. Humor and Self-Deprecation: Will Ferrell uses humor throughout his speech, which not only engages the audience but also endears them to his message. His self-deprecation, particularly when discussing his own career path, makes him relatable and breaks down barriers between speaker and audience. 2. Pathos: Despite the humor, Ferrell seamlessly weaves in moments of sincerity, sharing personal stories that resonate on an emotional level. These stories evoke empathy from the audience, making his advice more impactful. 3. Anaphora and Motif: Ferrell employs anaphora, the deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence, to emphasize key points. Additionally, he returns to the motif of fearlessness and courage in the face of uncertainty, encouraging graduates to pursue their dreams with tenacity. These techniques make Will Ferrell's speech persuasive by striking a balance between levity and earnestness, allowing him to connect with the audience in a unique and memorable way.