When comparing the commencement speech given by Steve Jobs at Stanford University in 2005 to the commencement speech given by Barak Obama at Wesleyan University in 2008, one can argue that Steve Jobs’ address has a stronger use of the rhetorical situation and the rhetorical appeals. Jobs’ ability to combine ethos, pathos and purpose proves his credibility, builds a relationship with the audience, and helps students believe in their intuitions.
In his 2005 commencement address to Stanford University, Steve Jobs incorporates ethos to prove his credibility to his audience. He begins by admitting that “[he] never graduated from college” (1). Jobs displays honesty and humility with this personal fact, which allows the audience to acknowledge his …show more content…
This main point is backed up by examples from his personal life. First, Jobs followed his intuition by dropping out of college and taking calligraphy classes. He used those skills in designing the first Macintosh computer with typography. Second, when he got fired from his own company, he realized he still loved innovating, so he followed his heart, started two other companies, and established a family. In both cases, he chose to trust his instincts to drop out of college and continue pursuing his passion. His personal stories prove his point about believing in one’s self and following one’s …show more content…
Obama mentions many accomplishments that have taken place throughout America while Jobs’ speech deals with many personal failures. While speaking to the graduating class of Wesleyan University, Obama mentions accomplishments such as ‘the Peace Corps volunteers who won a generation of goodwill toward America…” and “…those Freedom Rides down south…[that] changed the world” (1). He also discusses the success he achieved as a community organizer in poverty stricken neighborhoods in Chicago (2). By mentioning these accomplishments, the graduates feel hopeful and optimistic about their future. As college graduates, they want to know that they can continue to achieve outside of the classroom. Obama’s speech inspires the crowd he is addressing, however it is not the best speech for the crowd. Jobs’ speech informs the graduating class of Stanford University about his failures such as how he “never graduated from college” (1) and how he “[got] fired from a company [he] started” (2). It is necessary for the audience to hear about failure because every college graduate will experience failure at some point in their lives. It is appropriate to discuss those failures because the graduates will feel better knowing that someone like Steve Jobs experienced failure and still found success.
Steve Jobs’ commencement address builds his credibility by being honest with
In his 2005 commencement address to Stanford University, Steve Jobs incorporates ethos to prove his credibility to his audience. He begins by admitting that “[he] never graduated from college” (1). Jobs displays honesty and humility with this personal fact, which allows the audience to acknowledge his …show more content…
This main point is backed up by examples from his personal life. First, Jobs followed his intuition by dropping out of college and taking calligraphy classes. He used those skills in designing the first Macintosh computer with typography. Second, when he got fired from his own company, he realized he still loved innovating, so he followed his heart, started two other companies, and established a family. In both cases, he chose to trust his instincts to drop out of college and continue pursuing his passion. His personal stories prove his point about believing in one’s self and following one’s …show more content…
Obama mentions many accomplishments that have taken place throughout America while Jobs’ speech deals with many personal failures. While speaking to the graduating class of Wesleyan University, Obama mentions accomplishments such as ‘the Peace Corps volunteers who won a generation of goodwill toward America…” and “…those Freedom Rides down south…[that] changed the world” (1). He also discusses the success he achieved as a community organizer in poverty stricken neighborhoods in Chicago (2). By mentioning these accomplishments, the graduates feel hopeful and optimistic about their future. As college graduates, they want to know that they can continue to achieve outside of the classroom. Obama’s speech inspires the crowd he is addressing, however it is not the best speech for the crowd. Jobs’ speech informs the graduating class of Stanford University about his failures such as how he “never graduated from college” (1) and how he “[got] fired from a company [he] started” (2). It is necessary for the audience to hear about failure because every college graduate will experience failure at some point in their lives. It is appropriate to discuss those failures because the graduates will feel better knowing that someone like Steve Jobs experienced failure and still found success.
Steve Jobs’ commencement address builds his credibility by being honest with