Speech Analysis - Admiral William H McRaven

Audience and Purpose

• Speaker: Admiral William McRaven.
• Audience: graduating students.
• Purpose: to congratulate the graduating students and give them advice for their future.

(background)

Content

• Starts by sharing the memory of his graduation day.
• Advice on "how to change the world."
• Ten life lessons.

Short Clip:

Text

Tone and Mood

• Motivational, moving speech.
• Powerful, but relatable.
• Pace.

Structure

• Introduction; explanation of purpose, connects with audience.
• Main body: 10 pieces of advice to change the world.
• Conclusion; inspired sensation.

Stylistic Devices

• Anecdotes (many throughout) each of the ten stories.
• Repetition, "If you want to change the world..."
• Rhetorical question (no answer)
• Universally applicable.
• Metaphors.
• Ethos, pathos and logos.

Conclusion

• Admiral McRaven's goal - is it understood?