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?
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