Analysis and critique of J.K. Rowling's Harvard commencement speech

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Speech sourced from YouTube on 23rd April 2017 Title: The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination Speaker’s Name: J.K. Rowling Speech Critique A: Description Purpose of speech: This is a commencement speech that J.K. Rowling, a renewed novelist, gave at Harvard University during a graduation ceremony. Rowling was being awarded an honorary degree by the institution at the time. Type of supporting materials: In her speech, Rowling makes extensive use of examples and testimony as supporting materials. Types of sources of supporting materials: With regard to examples, Rowling makes use of personal experiences; while when it comes to testimony, she references those who have had an impact on her life in one way or another. Type of organization used: The type of organization used for this particular speech is the cause-effect pattern. Type of language used: The type of language Rowling uses is largely formal. Type of delivery (vocal/physical): The type of delivery in this case is physical, and the speech is in itself a manuscript speech. B: Context The speech was in this case delivered to a cosmopolitan audience of university professors and staff, graduates, and parents. It is, however, important to note that the target audience was in this case the graduates. Harvard University has a long history of inviting persons who have excelled in various aspects of life to address graduating students. Some of the most notable commencement speakers in recent times include, but they are not limited to, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Bloomberg, and Mark Zuckerberg. The commencement speech is mainly meant to offer meaningful and practical advice to graduates as they leave school to go pursue their respective careers. Typically, commencement speakers share their life experiences with graduates and offer tips on how to succeed in life. Evaluation It is important to note, from the onset, that this particular speech has been deemed one of the best speeches ever delivered in a public forum. It is not difficult to see why. The supporting materials Rowling incorporates into her speech, i.e. examples and testimony, help keep the interest of the listener. She actively makes use of her own life experiences to indicate that failure is largely inevitable and to demonstrate why persons should follow their dreams regardless of the challenges they face. She also incorporates various testimonies from other quarters to further reinforce her message. The organization adopted, i.e. cause-effect, is also appropriate for a speech of this nature. This is largely a persuasive speech whereby Rowling is advocating for the embrace of challenges in life. Using this organization, she succeeds in making connections between failure vis-à-vis the resolve to succeed/overcome, and eventual contentment and success. This being an official ceremony, Rowling makes use of a formal tone. This is commendable. I am, however, convinced that the speech would have been more effective if it had been an extemporaneous speech. By using prompts or note cards to back up her own words, as opposed to mainly reading from the pre-written speech, she would have had better connection with the audience. Overall, the speech was well-delivered, and received.