Admiral Mcraven's 10 Lessons Commencement Speech

Dlugan, A. (2012, December 4). Speech Analysis: Franklin Roosevelt Pearl Harbor Address. Retrieved from http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/speech-analysis-franklin-roosevelt-pearl-harbor-fdr-infamy/

What I learned from this book is that although we’ve all earned the title marine, our core values and ways doesn’t just end at the conclusion of boot camp, we have to bring it with us to the fleet and eventually use our military teachings back with us as citizens. We can contribute good into our communities because our customs and curtsies, respect, core values, adaptation abilities, leadership traits, etc., would be what sets us out to be different than the general population.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy delivered one of the most important American speeches after being sworn in as president on January 20, 1961. His inauguration speech was so influential that it seized the nation’s attention, and quotes from it are still clearly remembered by people today. It is considered one of the best speeches ever written and ever delivered. It presents a strong appeal to pathos, ethos, and logos and accomplishes what any speaker strives for – it speaks straight to the heart of the audience and inspires people.

The Pearl Harbor address to the nation is probably one of the most famous speeches made throughout time. In this essay I will evaluate the rhetorical effectiveness of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's famous speech and show that his speech is a successful argument for the United States of America. I will focus on the speaker's credibility, all the different appeals made throughout the speech, as well as the purpose and the audience of the speech. Also, I will discuss whether or not there are any logical fallacies that may have weakened his speech.

Admiral William H. Mcraven addressed the 2014 graduating class at the University of Austin, Texas with more than eight thousand students in attendance. Adm. Mcraven’s address touched the hearts of millions all around the world with his inspirational message of how one person can change the world by following a simple set of rules. I chose this speech for my rhetorical analysis because of the important message it portrays, by how helping a few can eventually help many. Adm. Mcraven’s address was especially effective for his audience, much due to how he relates to the students by reminiscing of the day he graduated from UT while providing advice to his audience of college graduates preparing to begin their adult lives.

Due to this speech being an informative speech the audience must be able to understand what the speaker is stating; (Lucas, 295) however, Luttrell shows difficulty explaining different scenarios or term relating to a battle’s topography (YouTube, Down Range Film on Dec 9, 2014). Despite this, Luttrell shows a true strength in personalizing his message in a way that makes sense to civilians (Lucas 297). For example, he states that the SEAL brother bond is similar to having a best friend always by one’s side (YouTube, Down Range Film on Dec 9, 2014). He uses technique further, by describing SEAL culture. In addition to this, Luttrell also shows an immense amount of humor that can influence both military and non-military audience members. Even more so, he continued to show this through average situations and heart-breaking situations, (YouTube, Down Range Film on Dec 9, 2014) which continually encourage the audience to listen to his message. Yet, the greatest way in which Luttrell influences the audience is by his emotional appeals. Of the varying types stated in the textbook, he imparts pride of one’s own country, compassion for those serving, and anger against evil itself (Lucas, 349). Without influencing the audience, a speech would have no effect on a person’s heart or

Honor, Courage, and Commitment are not just values I learned in boot camp. They are the guiding principles and morale’s that were instilled in me by my grandfather as a child and by my faith as an adult. Being privileged to the role of a naval officer its essential, that we not only understand these values but that they become our way of life.

In David Foster Wallace’s commencement speech “This is Water”, Wallace discusses multiple aspects and instances that will come before us. To begin, Wallace’s speech elaborates to us most importantly that we are not the center of the world. For instance, Wallace states in his speech that a vast majority of the information he tends to be certain in usually results in being completely wrong. An example of this wrong highlighted in this speech is that Wallace states that everything his experience supports the belief that his self is the center of the universe. Relating this to Naikan, Naikan helps the client to consider what they have given to a specific person and what troubles they have caused them. The reason why is to consider one’s perception and the impact they have on others which is not conceived through selfish encounters. This helps Naikan clients to distinguish what positive changes they can implement after introspecting on their relationships and interactions with others.

I had learned the art of being a big guy that could be tinier and quieter than a field mouse. I had learned my lesson and now began the practice of listening before speaking and it was worked wonderfully in my favor because I hadn’t received the wrath of any of my drill instructors. I started to realize that the military was teaching me valuable tools that would help me throughout my life, not just a means for me to survive basic training.

For a united nation to prosper, its people must overcome obstacles and take on numerous responsibilities. Throughout our lives, there are problems occurring continually in our world related to war and combat. During these times of hardship, we must remind ourselves to persevere and continue to defend the country. In addressing the Sylvanus Thayer Award on May 12, 1962, at the city of West Point, New York, General Douglas MacArthur urged Americans to remember the major responsibilities we have as Americans in his speech Duty, Honor, Country. With a position of authority, MacArthur powerfully stated that America will only survive through winning wars and fulfilling our duties. His main priority was to defend the nation, respect the nation,

Before getting into his account of the lessons he learned while in basic SEAL training, McRaven recalls his own graduation day and humors the audience when he said “But of all the things I remember, I don’t have a clue who the commencement speaker was that evening and I certainly don’t remember anything they said.” (1). Without making a speech funny and relatable, the audience would grow bored and might not remember the commencement speaker or what was said in their speech, just like how McRaven did not. He also uses humor when explaining the “sugar cookie” effect. McRaven talks about how the trainees who failed the uniform inspection “had to run, fully clothed into the surfzone and then, wet from head to toe, roll around on the beach until every part of your body was covered with sand… [and] you stayed in that uniform the rest of the day—cold, wet and sandy.” (5). He then elaborates on the purpose of the drill and explains that sometimes in life, you’ll do everything you can to succeed at something and it still won’t be good enough. Therefore, “if you want to change the world get over being a sugar cookie and keep moving forward” (McRaven 5) and never stop getting up even if you’ve been knocked down more times than you can count. Admiral McRaven also uses pathos when trying to convince the audience that they all have a chance at changing the world. McRaven explains how

Washington starts off his speech with pathos. Pathos is appealing to the emotional side of the audience and trying to get an emotional response from them. Washington begins his speech on why he is doing the speech in the first place. His son went to Penn U, so he was already officiated with the school. Him sharing his information about his past with the school makes the crowd feel more relax and less anxious. Knowing the person who is speaking, understands what you are going through helps a lot in building a connection with the Washington. With a smooth beginning, Washington begins to tell jokes about the staff and how everyone here hates the Yankees. Washington, first establishing baseline with the audience, was key to conveyance his message to the spectators. Washington evens tells the people, that he is nervous and uncomfortable for he has not done this kind of speech before. The feeling of knowing this man in front of you is speaking to thousands of people is afraid, even though he is such a famous actor makes you feel empathy for him. This connection is strong for even though he is famous, he can still get nervous like all the graduates. Washington brings up ideas he had for this speech, making jokes about his co-workers and stories of them. He did not decide to use one of those because he wanted to leave a message worth leaving for the graduates that will last a lifetime. Washington even connects with the parents, by saying “I always like to check how my money is getting used, am I right parents?”. (Penn's 2011

In Admiral McRaven’s speech he talks about being your best in your darkest moment. I think that is very important. I think it shows really great character when you’re your best in your darkest moment. If you’re great in your darkest moments you’ll be that much greater in your best moments. It is super important to show good character in your darkest moment because it shows the world that it cannot break you. It shows that you have something different that is not of this world. I think that when you’re in your darkest moment a breakthrough is about to happen you just have to persevere through the bad stuff

General Powell highlights 18 lessons learned in leadership that are applied to successful companies, and how they are applied to leadership in his presentation to the Outreach Program, and the Sears Corporate Headquarters. These approaches can be applied not only in business but life in general. I will highlight three of the lessons that have impacted my career in the military

I joined the Marine Corps looking for a challenge. I wanted to open doors for a new career and longed to have a positive impact on the world around me. Looking back five years later, I realize I found all that I originally sought, but I’ve also found something profoundly satisfying and meaningful that I never knew I was missing.