The American dream is a keystone of our country’s identity. At the core of our nation are the principles of freedom, honor, intelligence, and dignity. Many consider America to be the greatest nation in the world because of our prodigious sense of justice and dedication to preserving liberty across the globe. We consider ourselves paragons of independence, a nation of brave young men and women who are leaders, warriors, and academics.
This is why Will McAvoy's spontaneous speech “Why America Isn’t the Greatest Country in the World” is so shocking; it is a direct affront to our national identity. In denying our status as “The Best”, McAvoy risks alienating not only his audience, but a whole country. However, by using a combination of candor, passion, and some well placed f-bombs, McAvoy succeeds in inspiring …show more content…
He calls the millennials the “Worst period generation period ever period,” with each “period” hitting the audience like a blow. This insult towards college students and their peers was risky; it could have been perceived as rude, but by following up the remark with a reminiscence about “the good old days”, McAvoy instead makes it a call to action: Do better!
One of the most influential aspects of this oration is its crass delivery. Throughout the speech, McAvoy uses a few choice phrases such as “fuckin smart” and “goddamn always” to emphasize points and convey emotion. In addition, the address is delivered almost entirely in layman’s terms, making it easy for everyone to comprehend, similar to how Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” used familiar language to spread his message to more people.
Many of us, when faced with a large audience, would be wholly unable to create a quality speech. But instead of being hindered by candor, McAvoy’s speech is made exponentially better by its spontaneity. In addressing his audience with passion, he gains far more support than he would have with a prepared
This is why Will McAvoy's spontaneous speech “Why America Isn’t the Greatest Country in the World” is so shocking; it is a direct affront to our national identity. In denying our status as “The Best”, McAvoy risks alienating not only his audience, but a whole country. However, by using a combination of candor, passion, and some well placed f-bombs, McAvoy succeeds in inspiring …show more content…
He calls the millennials the “Worst period generation period ever period,” with each “period” hitting the audience like a blow. This insult towards college students and their peers was risky; it could have been perceived as rude, but by following up the remark with a reminiscence about “the good old days”, McAvoy instead makes it a call to action: Do better!
One of the most influential aspects of this oration is its crass delivery. Throughout the speech, McAvoy uses a few choice phrases such as “fuckin smart” and “goddamn always” to emphasize points and convey emotion. In addition, the address is delivered almost entirely in layman’s terms, making it easy for everyone to comprehend, similar to how Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” used familiar language to spread his message to more people.
Many of us, when faced with a large audience, would be wholly unable to create a quality speech. But instead of being hindered by candor, McAvoy’s speech is made exponentially better by its spontaneity. In addressing his audience with passion, he gains far more support than he would have with a prepared