http://theswellesleyreport.com/2012/06/wellesley-high-grads-told-youre-not-special/
Click on the link above to hear the commencement speech. (12 min. long)
Next, go to the the AP website for this class: https://sites.google.com/site/kapaahighaplang/home and open up the Rhetorical Terms. You will find this on the left side on the Home Page. It will lead you to an attachment. You may print the attachment or toggle back and forth as you read and use the terms.
Now read the speech below and address the following:
2.) Identify One Trope. Choose from Comparison, Word Play, or Exaggeration. Copy the sentence or sentences and then name the trope using your handout "Style: Schemes and Tropes"
3.) After identifying a Scheme and a Trope, now discuss if you agree with the speaker, disagree with the speaker ( referred to as refutation, the act of refuting or disagreeing), OR if you agree with some of the speech but disagree with other parts of it. (This is the concept of Qualifying an argument in which you do not totally disagree or agree.)
So Agree, Refute, or Qualify the speaker's comments in a supporting paragraph that specifically references part of the speech.
Due Date: Posting by Monday, September 30th. (40 Pts)
No response to a classmate necessary.
Weak responses will receive minimal credit.
Commencement Speech for 2012 Graduating Class
Dr. Wong, Dr. Keough, Mrs. Novogroski, Ms. Curran, members of the board of education, family and friends of the graduates, ladies and gentlemen of the Wellesley High School class of 2012, for the privilege of speaking to you this afternoon, I am honored and grateful. Thank you.
So here we are… commencement… life’s great forward-looking ceremony. (And don’t say, “What about weddings?” Weddings are one-sided and insufficiently effective. Weddings are bride-centric pageantry. Other than conceding to a list of unreasonable demands, the groom just stands there. No stately, hey-everybody-look-at-me procession. No being given away. No identity-changing pronouncement. And can you imagine a television show dedicated to watching guys try on tuxedos? Their fathers sitting there misty-eyed with joy and disbelief, their brothers lurking in the corner muttering with envy. Left to men, weddings would be, after limits-testing procrastination, spontaneous, almost inadvertent… during halftime… on the way to the refrigerator. And then there’s the frequency of failure: statistics tell us half of you will get divorced. A winning percentage like that’ll get you last place in the American League East. The Baltimore Orioles do better than weddings.)
But this ceremony… commencement… a commencement works every time. From this day forward… truly… in sickness and in health, through financial fiascos, through midlife crises and passably attractive sales reps at trade shows in Cincinnati, through diminishing tolerance for annoyingness, through every difference, irreconcilable and otherwise, you will stay forever graduated from high school, you and your diploma as one, ‘til death do you part.
No, commencement is life’s great ceremonial beginning, with its own attendant and highly appropriate symbolism. Fitting, for example, for this auspicious rite of passage, is where we find ourselves this afternoon, the venue. Normally, I avoid clichés like the plague, wouldn’t touch them with a ten-foot pole, but here we are on a literal level playing field. That matters. That says something. And your ceremonial costume… shapeless, uniform, one-size-fits-all. Whether male or female, tall or short, scholar or slacker, spray-tanned prom queen or intergalactic X-Box assassin, each of you is dressed, you’ll notice, exactly the same. And your diploma… but for your name, exactly the same.
All of this is as it should be, because none of you is special.
You are not special. You are not exceptional.
Contrary to what your u9 soccer trophy suggests, your glowing seventh grade report card, despite every assurance of a certain corpulent purple dinosaur, that nice Mister Rogers and your batty Aunt Sylvia, no matter how often your maternal caped crusader has swooped in to save you… you’re nothing special.
Yes, you’ve been pampered, cosseted, doted upon, helmeted, bubble-wrapped. Yes, capable adults with other things to do have held you, kissed you, fed you, wiped your mouth, wiped your bottom, trained you, taught you, tutored you, coached you, listened to you, counseled you, encouraged you, consoled you and encouraged you again. You’ve been nudged, cajoled, wheedled and implored. You’ve been feted and fawned over and called sweetie pie. Yes, you have. And, certainly, we’ve been to your games, your plays, your recitals, your science fairs. Absolutely, smiles ignite when you walk into a room, and hundreds gasp with delight at your every tweet. Why, maybe you’ve even had your picture in the Townsman! [Editor’s upgrade: Or The Swellesley Report!] And now you’ve conquered high school… and, indisputably, here we all have gathered for you, the pride and joy of this fine community, the first to emerge from that magnificent new building…
But do not get the idea you’re anything special. Because you’re not.
The empirical evidence is everywhere, numbers even an English teacher can’t ignore. Newton, Natick, Nee… I am allowed to say Needham, yes? …that has to be two thousand high school graduates right there, give or take, and that’s just the neighborhood Ns. Across the country no fewer than 3.2 million seniors are graduating about now from more than 37,000 high schools. That’s 37,000 valedictorians… 37,000 class presidents… 92,000 harmonizing altos… 340,000 swaggering jocks… 2,185,967 pairs of Uggs. But why limit ourselves to high school? After all, you’re leaving it. So think about this: even if you’re one in a million, on a planet of 6.8 billion that means there are nearly 7,000 people just like you. Imagine standing somewhere over there on Washington Street on Marathon Monday and watching sixty-eight hundred yous go running by. And consider for a moment the bigger picture: your planet, I’ll remind you, is not the center of its solar system, your solar system is not the center of its galaxy, your galaxy is not the center of the universe. In fact, astrophysicists assure us the universe has no center; therefore, you cannot be it. Neither can Donald Trump… which someone should tell him… although that hair is quite a phenomenon.
“But, Dave,” you cry, “Walt Whitman tells me I’m my own version of perfection! Epictetus tells me I have the spark of Zeus!” And I don’t disagree. So that makes 6.8 billion examples of perfection, 6.8 billion sparks of Zeus. You see, if everyone is special, then no one is. If everyone gets a trophy, trophies become meaningless. In our unspoken but not so subtle Darwinian competition with one another–which springs, I think, from our fear of our own insignificance, a subset of our dread of mortality — we have of late, we Americans, to our detriment, come to love accolades more than genuine achievement. We have come to see them as the point — and we’re happy to compromise standards, or ignore reality, if we suspect that’s the quickest way, or only way, to have something to put on the mantelpiece, something to pose with, crow about, something with which to leverage ourselves into a better spot on the social totem pole. No longer is it how you play the game, no longer is it even whether you win or lose, or learn or grow, or enjoy yourself doing it… Now it’s “So what does this get me?” As a consequence, we cheapen worthy endeavors, and building a Guatemalan medical clinic becomes more about the application to Bowdoin than the well-being of Guatemalans. It’s an epidemic — and in its way, not even dear old Wellesley High is immune… one of the best of the 37,000 nationwide, Wellesley High School… where good is no longer good enough, where a B is the new C, and the midlevel curriculum is called Advanced College Placement. And I hope you caught me when I said “one of the best.” I said “one of the best” so we can feel better about ourselves, so we can bask in a little easy distinction, however vague and unverifiable, and count ourselves among the elite, whoever they might be, and enjoy a perceived leg up on the perceived competition. But the phrase defies logic. By definition there can be only one best. You’re it or you’re not.
If you’ve learned anything in your years here I hope it’s that education should be for, rather than material advantage, the exhilaration of learning. You’ve learned, too, I hope, as Sophocles assured us, that wisdom is the chief element of happiness. (Second is ice cream… just an fyi) I also hope you’ve learned enough to recognize how little you know… how little you know now… at the moment… for today is just the beginning. It’s where you go from here that matters.
As you commence, then, and before you scatter to the winds, I urge you to do whatever you do for no reason other than you love it and believe in its importance. Don’t bother with work you don’t believe in any more than you would a spouse you’re not crazy about, lest you too find yourself on the wrong side of a Baltimore Orioles comparison. Resist the easy comforts of complacency, the specious glitter of materialism, the narcotic paralysis of self-satisfaction. Be worthy of your advantages. And read… read all the time… read as a matter of principle, as a matter of self-respect. Read as a nourishing staple of life. Develop and protect a moral sensibility and demonstrate the character to apply it. Dream big. Work hard. Think for yourself. Love everything you love, everyone you love, with all your might. And do so, please, with a sense of urgency, for every tick of the clock subtracts from fewer and fewer; and as surely as there are commencements there are cessations, and you’ll be in no condition to enjoy the ceremony attendant to that eventuality no matter how delightful the afternoon.
ing life, the distinctive life, the relevant life, is an achievement, not something that will fall into your lap because you’re a nice person or mommy ordered it from the caterer. You’ll note the founding fathers took pains to secure your inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness–quite an active verb, “pursuit”–which leaves, I should think, little time for lying around watching parrots rollerskate on Youtube. The first President Roosevelt, the old rough rider, advocated the strenuous life. Mr. Thoreau wanted to drive life into a corner, to live deep and suck out all the marrow. The poet Mary Oliver tells us to row, row into the swirl and roil. Locally, someone… I forget who… from time to time encourages young scholars to carpe the heck out of the diem. The point is the same: get busy, have at it. Don’t wait for inspiration or passion to find you. Get up, get out, explore, find it yourself, and grab hold with both hands. (Now, before you dash off and get your YOLO tattoo, let me point out the illogic of that trendy little expression–because you can and should live not merely once, but every day of your life. Rather than You Only Live Once, it should be You Live Only Once… but because YLOO doesn’t have the same ring, we shrug and decide it doesn’t matter.)
None of this day-seizing, though, this YLOOing, should be interpreted as license for self-indulgence. Like accolades ought to be, the fulfilled life is a consequence, a gratifying byproduct. It’s what happens when you’re thinking about more important things. Climb the mountain not to plant your flag, but to embrace the challenge, enjoy the air and behold the view. Climb it so you can see the world, not so the world can see you. Go to Paris to be in Paris, not to cross it off your list and congratulate yourself for being worldly. Exercise free will and creative, independent thought not for the satisfactions they will bring you, but for the good they will do others, the rest of the 6.8 billion–and those who will follow them. And then you too will discover the great and curious truth of the human experience is that selflessness is the best thing you can do for yourself. The sweetest joys of life, then, come only with the recognition that you’re not special.
Because everyone is.
Congratulations. Good luck. Make for yourselves, please, for your sake and for ours, extraordinary lives.
By David McCullough, English teacher at Wellesley High School.
Your Directions Again:
1.) Identify One Scheme: Choose from Balance, Unusual Word Order, Omission or Repetition. Copy the sentence or sentences and then name the scheme using your handout "Style: Schemes and Tropes"
2.) Identify One Trope. Choose from Comparison, Word Play, or Exaggeration. Copy the sentence or sentences and then name the scheme using your handout "Style: Schemes and Tropes"
3.) After identifying a Scheme and a Trope, now discuss if you agree with the speaker, disagree with the speaker (This is referred to as refutation, the act of refuting or disagreeing), OR if you agree with some of the speech but disagree with other parts of it (This is the concept of Qualifying an argument in which you do not totally disagree or agree.)
So Agree, Refute, or Qualify the speaker's comments in a supporting paragraph that specifically references part of the speech.
Due Date: Posting by Monday, September 30th. (40 Pts)
No response to a classmate necessary.
Weak responses will receive minimal credit.
2.) Identify One Trope. Choose from Comparison, Word Play, or Exaggeration. Copy the sentence or sentences and then name the scheme using your handout "Style: Schemes and Tropes"
3.) After identifying a Scheme and a Trope, now discuss if you agree with the speaker, disagree with the speaker (This is referred to as refutation, the act of refuting or disagreeing), OR if you agree with some of the speech but disagree with other parts of it (This is the concept of Qualifying an argument in which you do not totally disagree or agree.)
So Agree, Refute, or Qualify the speaker's comments in a supporting paragraph that specifically references part of the speech.
Due Date: Posting by Monday, September 30th. (40 Pts)
No response to a classmate necessary.
Weak responses will receive minimal credit.
Dear Ms. Carlson,
ReplyDeleteIn David McCollough’s speech, “You are Nothing Special”, a scheme I found that he put to good use was repetition, to be more specific, Anaphora. For example, he says “through midlife crises and passably attractive sales reps at trade shows in Cincinnati, through diminishing tolerance for annoyingness, through every difference, irreconcilable and otherwise, you will stay forever graduated from high school, you and your diploma as one, ‘til death do you part.” Within this sentence he repeatedly says the word “through”, giving emphasis on the fact that no matter what you go through in life, you can say you have a high school diploma, which is a huge accomplishment for most people.
A trope that I found in McColloughs speech is one of exaggeration. He uses sarcasm when he says, “Now, before you dash off and get your YOLO tattoo, let me point out the illogic of that trendy little expression–because you can and should live not merely once, but every day of your life.” Basically, he’s pointing out that the term “YOLO” is not very logical, and that it would be a bit ridiculous to live your life off of it, or even more ridicule to get it tattooed.
At the beginning of McCollough’s speech, I did not fully agree with him. I didn’t get where he was going by saying that “you’re not special” and such because I believe everyone is special in their own way. But, as his speech concluded, I understood the point he was trying to get across, which was that if everyone was praised and given accolades for being “special”, then no one would be. He believes that you shouldn’t live life waiting to be admired by your achievements, but to simply enjoy the journey. He says, “Go to Paris to be in Paris, not to cross it off your list and congratulate yourself for being worldly.” This statement is a perfect example of what he means by enjoying the rollercoaster that is life.
Sincerely,
Amanda Thayer
Hopes Academy
Dear Ms.Sette,
ReplyDeleteIn David McCollough's speech, titled "you are nothing special", a scheme I found that was used to support speaker used to support his argument was repetition. For example, he says "Yes, you’ve been pampered, cosseted, doted upon, helmeted, bubble-wrapped. Yes, capable adults with other things to do have held you, kissed you, fed you, wiped your mouth, wiped your bottom, trained you, taught you, tutored you, coached you, listened to you, counseled you, encouraged you, consoled you and encouraged you again. You’ve been nudged, cajoled, wheedled and implored. You’ve been feted and fawned over and called sweetie pie. Yes, you have. And, certainly, we’ve been to your games, your plays, your recitals, your science fairs.". In that passages he repeatedly says "you" as well as "you've". By doing so speaker McCollough emphasizes that fact that each and every one of those graduates have been molded like a young child, they all came from one beginning and are all equal.
A trope that I thought identified that use of a metaphor was when he spoke "the distinctive life, the relevant life, is an achievement, not something that will fall into your lap because you’re a nice person or mommy ordered it from the caterer.". By this, David McCollough meant to pursuance the high school graduates , parents, staff, ect., that it is much more fulfilling to live a life well earned with achievement, rather then to to have a life that is handed to you or because of your morals.
David McCollough's speech seemed very familiar. Most writers first start their argument beginning with something totally off subject but has a part in what the author is trying to convey, just as when McCollough spoke of weddings. So from that point on I knew it would be a great speech. In the beginning of his speech I didn't know what he was trying to point out but further more into the speech it made sense. I agree with the way he put his speech together, not only did he use multiple rhetorical strategies but he also used humor. David McCollough's speech was not only used to congratulate the graduates but also to give them advice and guidance. He says "Climb the mountain not to plant your flag, but to embrace the challenge, enjoy the air and behold the view. Climb it so you can see the world, not so the world can see you. Go to Paris to be in Paris, not to cross it off your list and congratulate yourself for being worldly. Exercise free will and creative, independent thought not for the satisfactions they will bring you, but for the good they will do others, the rest of the 6.8 billion–and those who will follow them. And then you too will discover the great and curious truth of the human experience is that selflessness is the best thing you can do for yourself. The sweetest joys of life, then, come only with the recognition that you’re not special.". This really reached out to me because this not only changes your perspective on a positive note, but also makes you want to change your reasons for doing great things.
Sincerely,
Breann Bernades
Ideas Academy
In his speech, David McCullough used the scheme of repetition known as anaphora. At one point he says “…through financial fiascos, through midlife crises and passably attractive sales reps at trade shows in Cincinnati, through diminishing tolerance for annoyingness, through every difference, irreconcilable and otherwise, you will stay forever graduated from high school, you and your diploma as one, ‘til death do you part.”
ReplyDeleteLater in the speech David says to the graduates “Don’t bother with work you don’t believe in any more than you would a spouse you’re not crazy about…” This understatement found within the clause “a spouse you’re not crazy about” is a trope of exaggeration known as Litotes.
I feel like McCullough has put into words a concept that I have contemplated for quite some time now. From such a young age we are bombarded with encouraging assurances that we are “special” not only from our family but also the media in their attempts to boost the self-esteem of less the confidant teens in America. Quietly, I wondered how everyone could be so “special”. I mean, of course I understood everyone is different and everyone is unique in their own little ways, but I felt like it stopped just there. Because like McCullough mentioned, “if everyone is special, then no one is”, and when looking at the bigger picture, the whole picture, then every being that makes up only a minuscule fraction of the 6.8 billion people on this planet is simply part of one big bag of “special”. However, for the sense of pride, satisfaction, and well-being, people want to believe they are special, and I think both David and myself have decided to let them do just that.
Sincerely,
Colby Sargent
Ideas
Dear Ms.Carlson,
ReplyDeleteOne scheme that David McCullough uses in his commencement speech is anadiplosis. For example, he says “… your planet… is not the center of its solar system, your solar system is not the center of its galaxy, your galaxy is not the center of the universe.” Anadiplosis is the repetition of the last word of one clause at the beginning of the following clause. This sentence is also an example of climax. By using these two schemes the author implies that not everything can be about you. This emphasizes his overall message that “you are not special.”
Later in his speech, McCullough uses a rhetorical question, a trope of exaggeration. He uses this when he says, “Newton, Natick, Nee… I am allowed to say Needham, yes? …” Newton, Natick, Nee, and Needham are all high schools in Massachusetts. By singling out Needham, the speaker calls attention to what I assume is a rivalry between the two schools.
I completely agree with David McCullough’s message. The idea that “we love accolades more than genuine achievement,” is one that I feel is so apparent in our society today. It seems that now, people can be praised for doing almost anything. An example of this is the “participation trophies” often given out to any kid who simply showed up to a competition or was a part of the team, even if they were not the best. I feel that this diminishes the accomplishment of actually being the best at something. If you try to make everyone special, than no one can truly be special.
Sincerely,
Marissa Nikolas
HOPES
Dear Ms.Sette,
ReplyDeleteIn David McCullough's speech, “You are nothing special”, one scheme that I found that was used effectively was an anaphora, which was presented in many parts of the speech. In paragraph nine McCullough states, “If you’ve learned anything in your years here I hope it’s that education should be for, rather than material advantage, the exhilaration of learning. You’ve learned, too, I hope, as Sophocles assured us, that wisdom is the chief element of happiness. (Second is ice cream… just an FYI) I also hope you’ve learned enough to recognize how little you know… how little you know now… at the moment… for today is just the beginning. It’s where you go from here that matters”. In this paragraph the word “you've” is repeated, he made it that way to pin point that he's speaking to all the kids, not a particular group, but all of them.
A trope that I found was a slight form of sarcasm as McCullough states, “Now, before you dash off and get your YOLO tattoo, let me point out the illogical of that trendy little expression–because you can and should live not merely once, but every day of your life”. He is basically saying that yolo is merely illogical, when you should be simply go by “You live only once”
In the beginning of McCullough's speech I surprisingly understood his use of stating “ You're not special”. Of course we all think we are special in some type of different way compared to everyone else, but truthfully not everyone is special because “special” wouldn't be a thing. Referring to his speech where he talks about the amount of people in the world, there are bound to be people who are “special” in the same way you imagined yourself to be. His point was that everyone should live life, enjoy this beautiful journey and not wait to be looked up upon on our talents and achievements.
Sincerely,
Haylei Sheldon
IDEAS
Dear Ms.Sette,
ReplyDeleteThe scheme I chose in David McCullough's speech “you are nothing special” is anaphora, or in an easier term, repetition. “ If you’ve learned anything in your years here I hope it’s that education should be for, rather than material advantage, the exhilaration of learning. You’ve learned, too, I hope, as Sophocles assured us, that wisdom is the chief element of happiness. (Second is ice cream… just an fyi) I also hope you’ve learned enough to recognize how little you know… how little you know now… at the moment… for today is just the beginning. It’s where you go from here that matters”. The repetition of the word “you've” targets the graduates in the audience. McCullough speaks of what the graduates learned in high school, and later in life, should be for the “exhilaration of learning” not for anything else. And that their knowledge is still developing, still learning. This gives the graduates a sense that this specific step in their life, graduation, is only the beginning.
A trope I found in McCulloughs speech was exaggeration, or more specifically, sarcasm. Throughout the speech McCullough uses sarcasm regularly, in a comedic way. A specific phrase that displays sarcasm that specifically stood out to me was “Contrary to what your u9 soccer trophy suggests, your glowing seventh grade report card, despite every assurance of a certain corpulent purple dinosaur, that nice Mister Rogers and your batty Aunt Sylvia, no matter how often your maternal caped crusader has swooped in to save you… you’re nothing special ”. In this section of the speech McCullough is basically saying that all your achievements do not make you special. The saying “ you are nothing special” repeated regularly throughout the speech is sarcastic in itself.
Personally, I agree with McCullough's speech “ you are nothing special”. At first I believed that who we are, our achievements, and our talents do make us special in our own unique way. Then I thought after reading the speech a few times through, “are we really all that special?”. Like McCullough said “ even if you’re one in a million, on a planet of 6.8 billion that means there are nearly 7,000 people just like you”, After reading this, I had a change of mind, that we as individuals are really nothing special. McCullough's point was not to discourage the graduates, by telling them they weren't special, but to encourage them to be better for themselves, not anybody else. This speech showed the graduates that no matter their accomplishments, they are all equal. Or as McCullough liked to put it, nothing special.
Sincerely,
Aaryn Gray
IDEAS
In David McCullough’s commencement speech, he uses a scheme of unusual word order. He says “You’ve learned, too, I hope, as Sophocles assured us, that wisdom is the chief element of happiness. (Second is ice cream… just an fyi)” In this he uses parenthesis to show that he was narrating a certain part of his speech, which gave it voice and also a bit of humor. Also in his speech, McCullough uses similes such as “Read as a nourishing staple of life.”, and “Normally, I avoid clichés like the plague, wouldn’t touch them with a ten-foot pole…”
ReplyDeleteI agree with some parts of McCullough’s speech. I agree with what he says about everyone being told that they are special. It is true. At some point in (almost) anyone’s life, someone has told them that they are special. However, I do not agree when he repeats himself and says none of the Wellesley Class of 2012 is special. He does make a point by saying that if everyone was told that they are special, then no one is special. But I think that because no two people are really exactly alike, everyone does have a unique quality and individuality. McCullough does take a different approach to the subject of individuality, by using a logical mind. I disaffirm his statements about no one being special, because I believe that everyone is unique and has their own way of doing things. Everyone is special, no matter how you approach it.
Sincerely,
Bryson Baligad
IDEAS
Antithesis; juxtaposing contrasting ideas, often parallel in structure. It is through this scheme of balance that David McCullough conveys a great deal of his message. Primarily in regards to the idea that one human being cannot be special because every one is, which is extensively elaborated upon as the meat of the speech. Five central paragraphs compare what we may have believed to be true- that our "glowing report cards", trophies, "picture in the townsman", or conquering high school with a mass audience there just to watch us, with what is actually true- "you're nothing special." That even though "Walt Whitman tells me I'm my own version of perfection!" "that makes 6.8 billion examples of perfection" must be true as well. In the last sentences of the address, antithesis can again be recognized as a tool to communicate key advice for life. Referring to a mountain, McCullough advises "Climb it so you can see the world, not so the world can see you." The last example of antithesis used was "selflessness is the best thing you can do for yourself." Both of these closing statements relate to McCullough's purpose of decrying self importance.
ReplyDelete"The Baltimore Orioles do better than weddings." the speaker advocates. Using the title of a base ball team as his first reference to periphrasis, a type of trope categorized as word play, is greatly beneficial to the attention catching aspect of McCullough's writing, while serving as a standard of failure. Baltimore Orioles are brought up once more later, symbolizing failure in regards to working for something you don't believe in. Using stereotypes such as "scholar or slacker, spray-tanned prom queen or intergalactic X-Box assassin" and later citing twitter and the "Townsman" the orator is able to depict the uniformity and insignificance of our personalities. "That’s ... 2,185,967 pairs of Uggs." This twist of language plays a large role in the humor of the speech. McCullough states you cannot be the center of the universe, "Neither can Donald Trump…" Along with many other examples of periphrasis, uniqueness is ultimately obliterated.
It would be a difficult task to argue the speakers judgement that no single individual can be special because everyone is, however it may be found true that some are special in ways that most others are not. I have never known the word special to be excluded to only one person. So perhaps everyone is special in different ways, maybe a few the same way as each other, but in hole apart from the general norm. Aside from this one debatable topic, I would agree with a majority of McCullough's comments.
ReplyDeleteIn all his antithetical reasoning, it is true that having your picture in the newspaper, a good report card, or a trophy does not make you special. What makes you special is the specifics that McCullough does not include. Maybe that proud face in the paper rescued their neighbors dog from burning with their home. In terms of bravery, they are special. That trophy symbolizes the state championship a girl won her team through hours of practice every day, and complete devotion to her sport. She is special. McCullough states "there are 6.8 billion examples of perfection" and he is right.
The advice alluding to the Baltimore Orioles that spending your life doing something you have no passion for is failure is some I would definitely vouch for. How you spend your time is your life, and if you are working somewhere you hate, this is a huge waste of it. And of course, another example of periphrasis, prom queens, jocks, and video gamers do exist. I could not refute it.Estimating the number of Uggs as a representation of females graduating across the country was comical, but none the less accurate. Finally, the Donald Trump not being the center of the universe is obvious.
Over all, I agree with McCullough's antithetical and periphrastic ideas. His purpose of decrying self-importance was totally relevant, and could not be much better explained without his adamant insistence that "you are nothing special".
Sincerely, Zuri Shanklin
IDEAS
Dear Ms.Sette,
ReplyDeleteOne scheme that David Mcculough used during his speech “You are nothing special” was anadiplosis. Anadiplosis is the repetition of the last word of one clause at the beginning of the following clause. This was used when he said “our planet, I’ll remind you, is not the center of its solar system, your solar system is not the center of its galaxy, your galaxy is not the center of the universe.” The authors was pointing out that a single person can not be the center of the universe.
One trope that Mcullough used in his speech was sarcasm. Sarcasm is defined as witty language, used to convey insults or scorn. He uses this when he says “In fact, astrophysicists assure us the universe has no center; therefore, you cannot be it. Neither can Donald Trump… which someone should tell him… although that hair is quite a phenomenon.”
At the beginning of the speech I was very confused. I did not agree with the statement “You are not special”. I am a firm believer that everyone is special in their own way. That everyone has their own special destiny. As the speech went on I began to understand what he was saying. If everyone was special than no one would be, that we need to not recognize achievement by trophies and awards but by self-improvement and happiness. He says “Climb the mountain to see the world, not so the world can see you” This means do things because you want to and they make you happy, not to be awarded by it.
Sincerely, Megan Devin
IDEAS
Dear Ms. Carlson,
ReplyDeleteIn David McCollough’s speech, “You are Nothing Special” The scheme that I found was put to good use was anaphora. McCollough says “And read... read all the time...read as a matter of principle, as a matter of self respect. Read as a nourishing staple of life. Within this statement McCollough repeatedly says the word read at the beginning of the statement. He is trying to get across that reading is a important thing to do. That you should read for self respect, as a matter of principle. Not just read, to simply read. Read for a reason.
A trope that I thought was commonly used was sarcasm. For example, McCollough uses sarcasm when he says “Now, before you dash out and get that yolo tattoo, let me point out the illogic of that trendy little expression because you can and should live not merely once, but everyday of your life. He is trying to say that the word yolo is not logical. He is kind of saying that the term yolo is stupid because why should you live by a term that basically isn’t even true. You dont live only once. You should live everyday to the fullest extent, not stupidly and horrendously. I fully agree with him.
In a way I kind of agree with what he is saying about how no one is special. But at the same time I don’t. I Believe that everyone is special in their own way, and everyone expresses it differently. I do understand what he is saying though, When he says “if everyone was special, than no one is”. He is saying that everyone was praised for being special, than no one would be. He is trying to tell us not to live life to try to be praised. Just live life in what you believe in and love, live life because its an amazing thing.
Respectfully,
Chaz Pacleb
Hopes
The repetition scheme I'd like to point out is the repetition scheme of Assonance. When McCullough gave the section of his speech "with its own attendant and highly appropriate symbolism", he used assonance. This was displayed with the repetition of the vowel sound of "i" in the words "its", "appropriate", and "symbolism". The word "highly" nearly takes part in the assonance of this excerpt from the passage if it did not use the hard "i" sound.
ReplyDeleteThe trope I'd like to identify would one of the tropes of exaggeration. This trope is sarcasm; McCullough used this trope a lot in his commencement speech. My excerpt is as given: "It’s an epidemic — and in its way, not even dear old Wellesley High is immune… one of the best of the 37,000 nationwide, Wellesley High School… where good is no longer good enough, where a B is the new C, and the midlevel curriculum is called Advanced College Placement." He shows sarcasm when he says that good is no longer enough and where a B is now a C.
Overall, I disagree with the words of McCullough's commencement speech. I refute it, as rhetorical analysis would say. I believe he is being rude to those who try so hard to succeed in passing highschool. I think someone waving off a graduating class should commemorate the kids instead of shoot them down. Some evidence: "All of this is as it should be, because none of you is special. You are not special. You are not exceptional. Contrary to what your u9 soccer trophy suggests, your glowing seventh grade report card, despite every assurance of a certain corpulent purple dinosaur, that nice Mister Rogers and your batty Aunt Sylvia, no matter how often your maternal caped crusader has swooped in to save you… you’re nothing special." If I were to be a teacher giving a congratulatory speech I would say that everyone is special, because that shows good moral character.
Overall, however, this speech was very well thought out and had excellent claims and held many rhetorical tropes and schemes to support McCullough's purposes. To conclude, I disagree with his statements, but I admire his style.
Apologies regarding the improper indentations, it lost some arrangements in transit from google drive.
Delete-John
The Commencement speech “You are nothing special” by David McCullough for the Wessley High School class of 2012 used a strong mix of Rhetorical schemes and tropes to give the students an encouraging reality check interlaced with humor. On a broad level the speech was almost derogatory, telling the students that they weren’t special and precisely explaining why that is. However, when you actually focus on what he said and read through the speech after hearing it you can see how the speech could also have been an encouragement for students who actually payed attention. The rhetorical devices used to deliver this effect include the scheme of anaphora and the trope of Litotes.
ReplyDeleteIn the tenth paragraph McCullogh says “The fulfilling life, the distinctive life, the relevant life, is an achievement, not something that will fall into your lap because you’re a nice person or mommy ordered it from the caterer”. The repetition of “life” in the beginning of the sentence is an example of McCullough’s anaphora and it serves the purpose of emphasis. Using anaphora in this sentence allows him to list the attributes of the life he was talking about in an acceptable way and also sets up the frame for his next scheme: Climax. The three words “fulfilling”, “distinctive”, and “relevant” are all part of the climax set up by the delays between the words and their meanings. A fulfilling life is a desiring one, yet you may rather have a distinctive life on top of that; a remarkable life that people will notice. Yet most people would still like to hear that their life was “relevant” above all else because that is sort of an all of-the-above-term that means everyone thinks your life was meaningful and important.
McCullough’s entire speech is one large application of the trope litotes. The very title makes it obvious: “you are nothing special”. The author spends a majority of the speech belittling the students’ achievements so that his message and life philosophies will be taken even more seriously. A specific example of litotes can also be found in the third paragraph: “And your ceremonial costume… shapeless, uniform, one-size-fits-all. Whether male or female, tall or short, scholar or slacker, spray-tanned prom queen or intergalactic X-Box assassin, each of you is dressed, you’ll notice, exactly the same. And your diploma… but for your name, exactly the same.” These sentences belittle everything the students have worked for up until that point. Their reputations, appearances, and even the diploma that the ceremony is all about were thrown under the bus. Whether or not it was worth it is up for debate.
In my opinion, the controversial speech “You are nothing special” was appropriate under the circumstances. Perhaps in a lower class High School where graduation rates were low and the average student struggled to survive this speech would have been uncalled for and offensive. However, in the context of one of the nation’s top schools the speech was totally appropriate and the reality check could have been necessary for many of the students. As for whether or not the students are special, I’d have to disagree with McCullough and say that they are. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder is a term I’d like to stand by in this case and say that if other people around you think you are special and you agree then you are indeed special. There’s no one “special” person to compare yourself to, so it isn’t fair to say what McCullogh said about there only being one special person in the world.
Overall, the speech was well done in context. “The ends justify the means” is a saying that I think goes perfectly with this speech. The borderline insulting things the author said are justifiable because of the effect they could have had on those students. In the speech, McCullough’s usage of anaphora and litotes are also key in the effect produced. As for whether or not the students are special, I’d have to disagree with the speech and say that they are indeed unique and special.
sincerely,
Mason Schwarze
IDEAS
Dear Ms. Carlson
ReplyDeleteDavid McCollough's speech, " You are nothing special." on of the themes that I was able to find in was the use of an Anaphora. McCollough starts off by saying, " Read all the time. Read as a matter of principle, the matter of self respect. Read as though you are nourishing life. Within the statement, he repeats to himself the word read. He tries to get across the fact of reading, and that it is important to you as a person. He is also showing that you should read with a purpose to it.
Later on though out his speech he uses a rhetorical question, which is a trope of an exaggeration. He uses this when he specks out, "Newton, Natic, Nee. I am allowed to say need ham, yes?" These are all high schools in the state of Massachusetts. He singles out Needleham, he calls the attention to assume a somewhat of a rivalry between the two schools.
I think overall with the speech, it was well done. The context that was provided within the speech goes well with each other and really brings the words within the speech. He does have a borderline of insulting between the writer are very rustable with an affect on the students. The speech McCullough usage of rhetorical questions and Anaphoras were sort of his guide and key effects that he had produced.
Sincerely,
Kristian Sablay
Hopes
You Are Not Special Response
ReplyDeleteIn the speech, the scheme that I found was repetition. He used this scheme when he said “Yes, capable adults with other things to do have held you, kissed you, fed you, wiped your mouth, wiped your bottom, trained you, taught you, tutored you, coached you, listened to you, counseled you, encouraged you, consoled you and encouraged you again.” He uses this repetition to emphasize all of the things that adults have done for you.
A trope that he used during this speech was wordplay. When he said “Now, before you dash off and get your YOLO tattoo, let me point out the illogic of that trendy little expression–because you can and should live not merely once, but every day of your life. Rather than You Only Live Once, it should be You Live Only Once… but because YLOO doesn’t have the same ring, we shrug and decide it doesn’t matter.” He says this to point out the obvious stupidity of the saying but furthermore says it to tell you that you should live every day of your life, not just let it go by doing nothing.
I completely agree with this speech. Nowadays, people always believe that they are special, that they are different. I especially that he gave hard numbers on how not-special we all are. For example, he says “That’s 37,000 valedictorians… 37,000 class presidents.” That is a real eye-opener to me because there is only one valedictorian and one class president per each school. That such a rare thing for your high school is really not so rare when you look at the big picture. People are told they are special constantly in our society and rarely are we ever humbled to learn that we're really not special. I agree fully with this speech.
Matthew Steinohrt
IDEAS
One scheme that David McCullough used in his speech “You are nothing special” was Isocolon. Contrary to what your u9 soccer trophy suggests, your glowing seventh grade report card… He uses Isocolon to balance his sentences out and to make his meaning flow better.
ReplyDeleteA trophe that McCullough used Rhetorical questioning. He said “And can you imagine a television show dedicated to watching guys try on tuxedos?” He uses this type of questioning to make you feel a certain way about weddings. To make you question what the importance and worth it has. He’s making you think that weddings are not all that.
David McCullough does make a god point that we are not special, and uses lot of evidence to support that, but I disagree with him. When he mentioned that there are 7,000 other people just like me, I know that’s not true. God made me, me. There’s no one else like me because God made us all differently. We may have similarities but we are not the same. Therefore, in my eyes, we are special. Because God took his time to make each of us the individuals we are today.
Respectfully,
Ariel Cummings
HOPES Academy
Throughout his speech, David McCullough uses anaphora, a scheme of repetition. In one section of his speech, he states “Yes, you’ve been pampered, cosseted, doted upon, helmeted, bubble-wrapped. Yes, capable adults with other things to do have held you, kissed you, fed you, wiped your mouth, wiped your bottom, trained you, taught you, tutored you, coached you, listened to you, counseled you, encouraged you, consoled you and encouraged you again. You’ve been nudged, cajoled, wheedled and implored. You’ve been feted and fawned over and called sweetie pie. Yes, you have.”
ReplyDelete“Climb the mountain not to plant your flag, but to embrace the challenge, enjoy the air and behold the view. Climb it so you can see the world, not so the world can see you” . In this little blurb, McCullough is using a type of trope known as a synechdoche.
In McCullough’s speech, I could relate to his points numerous amounts of time. For example in the anaphora I pulled from his speech, McCullough thinks that perhaps children have become too nurtured, and not disciplined enough making our generation less capable of sustainability as well as being overly confident. In a sense, I agree with McCullough because I can’t tell you how many times I have seen so many teenagers put themselves on a pedestal because they think they have accomplished more than the ordinary when in fact everybody around them have done the same. They get this mentality from their parents and teachers, who have sugar-coated everything their whole life. There is nothing extraordinary about that. However, I do think that teenagers still deserve to be valued for their “good works” even though they’re not exactly special. It is ordinary to love the beautiful, but it is beautiful to love the ordinary.
When McCullough uses his trope (synechdoche) he is trying to convey that it’s not all about your accomplishments, but the steps you took to get there. And at the end, the point is to view the world and not to have the world ooing and ahhing when they view you. I can agree with McCullough because I believe that if one doesn’t enjoy all the trials they may face, they will not enjoy their finished product. Overall, I think McCullough and I can agree that life is a great journey and you’re just a tiny speck of this earth.
Sincerely,
Marina Mireles
Hopes
Dear Ms. Carlson,
ReplyDeleteIn “You Are Nothing Special” by David McCollough, one scheme he uses is repetition, or rather, anaphora. Simply when he says, “You are not special. You are not exceptional”. These two simple sentences had a huge impact. He was very straightforward in his message that we really are not special. He later goes into detail about why we are not special. Popping the bubble we hold ourselves in, he says that just because we have all theses awards and spotless records and exemplar report cards, that there are millions of people out there just like you, so it’s nothing to get your head in the clouds about.
One trope McCollough uses is comparison. He uses comparison by comparing a high school graduation to a wedding day. Normally you wouldn’t really think to compare the two because they both have different concepts. A wedding is joining two people who love each other. A high school graduation is celebrating ones accomplishments through their 12 years of school and that it’s finally over. But one thing they do have in common is that it is the beginning of a new life and that was how McCollough linked the two.
I agree with McCollough that if everyone is special, no one is. But at the same time I disagree with this statement. Yes I believe that in comparison to the rest of the world, your “u9 soccer trophy” and “glowing seventh grade report card” really are not special because there are millions of people out there with those same exact accomplishments. So in comparison to those people you really are nothing special. But I believe that if you take a closer look to each individual, instead of only looking at the big picture, each individual really is something special. Now the person you sat next to on the bus may mean absolutely nothing to you, because you don’t know that person. But that persons mother, father, uncle, aunt, sister, brother, thinks of that person as the most special person in the world. I think a persons “specialness” will vary on the people around them. Every single person on this planet is not going to be special to every single other person on this planet. That’s impossible because it is impossible to personally know every one alive in the world. I say that there’s no need to feel like you’re some god because of what accomplishment or talent you have because there are many many more people out there just like you. But it is also important to realize just because there are many people out there just like you, you are the only one that matters to your friends and your family, and so you, by your own definition, are special.
Sincerely,
Naea Oda
HOPES
Dear Ms. Sette,
ReplyDeleteIn David McCollough’s speech, “You are Nothing Special”, the scheme that I found was put to good use was anaphora (or repetition), which was presented in many parts of the speech. For example, he says “through midlife crises and passably attractive sales reps at trade shows in Cincinnati, through diminishing tolerance for annoyingness, through every difference, irreconcilable and otherwise, you will stay forever graduated from high school, you and your diploma as one, ‘til death do you part.” In this sentence he repeatedly says the word “through”, giving emphasis on the fact that no matter what you go through in life, you’ll have your high school diploma.
A trope in McCollough’s speech is exaggeration/sarcasm. He exaggerates many points. Such as, “Now, before you dash off and get your YOLO tattoo, let me point out the illogic of that trendy little expression–because you can and should live not merely once, but every day of your life.” With this he is basically saying that YOLO is pretty stupid, and it’s not a very good thing to live your life by. Another example would be “Contrary to what your u9 soccer trophy suggests, your glowing seventh grade report card, despite every assurance of a certain corpulent purple dinosaur, that nice Mister Rogers and your batty Aunt Sylvia, no matter how often your maternal caped crusader has swooped in to save you… you’re nothing special ”. In this section of the speech McCullough is basically saying that all your achievements do not make you special.
In the beginning I didn’t really agree with what he was saying. I was almost a little offended because of course, I’m sure we all personally think we’re special; the most unique person out there. But throughout the speech I started to understand that he was saying if we were all special, no one would be. So we have to strive to be the best out of the other 7,000 just like us. We have to be extraordinary, because, like McCollough said, our small achievements don’t really count in the long run.
Elise McDonald
IDEAS
Dear Ms. Carlson,
ReplyDeleteIn David McCullough's “You Are Nothing Special” speech, I've found a few schemes in the form of repetition. In a matter of fact, I found two in a couple sentences. In the beginning of paragraph eight, McCullough says, “Yes, you’ve been pampered, cosseted, doted upon, helmeted, bubble-wrapped. Yes, capable adults with other things to do have held you, kissed you, fed you, wiped your mouth, wiped your bottom, trained you, taught you, tutored you, coached you, listened to you, counseled you, encouraged you, consoled you and encouraged you again. You’ve been nudged, cajoled, wheedled and implored. You’ve been feted and fawned over and called sweetie pie. Yes, you have.” To begin majority of the sentences, he uses the term “Yes”, which is a form of anaphora. In the second sentence, he uses the word “you” after each verb, just before he lists a new action. This is in the form of an epistrophe. I also found an epanalepsis, when David was saying “Love everything you love, everyone you love, with all your might.”
A type of trope that was used in this speech was sarcasm. David uses this as he says, “In fact, astrophysicists assure us the universe has no center; therefore, you cannot be it. Neither can Donald Trump… which someone should tell him… although that hair is quite a phenomenon.” He explains that we aren't special; we aren't the center of the universe, meaning we aren't the center of attention because well, the universe doesn't even have a center. He also adds a little humor that someone should tell Donald Trump that, even though his hair is pretty known and popular.
Overall, I kind of agree, yet disagree to what David McCullough says in his speech. I agree that just because you have good grades, and that you receive awards, you aren't the only person in this world who has gotten the same. Which doesn't make you as special, since you're just one out of a thousand others. However, I've grown up knowing that everyone is special in their own way, because we're not all EXACTLY the same. Our personalities and our perspectives are what makes us truly special. There's one part of this speech that I couldn't have agreed more on. I agree that we shouldn't act upon “YOLO”, but rather remind ourselves that we shouldn't live just once, but every day of our lives. I found this speech to be interesting, somewhat true, and pretty inspiring.
Sincerely,
Hazel Jarquio
HOPES
You Are Nothing Special
ReplyDeleteOne example of a Scheme of Repetition:
“Climb the mountain not to plant your flag, but to embrace the challenge, enjoy the air and behold the view. Climb it so you can see the world, not so the world can see you.”
The first sentence is a type of repetition called isocolon and the second sentence is a type of repetition called antimetabole.
One example of a Trope of Word play:
“You’ll note the founding fathers took pains to secure your inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness–quite an active verb, “pursuit”–which leaves, I should think, little time for lying around watching parrots roller skate on Youtube.”
This sentence is a type of word play called personification.
After watching and reading the commencement speech given by David McCullough I whole heartedly believe and agree with what he says. In the past when adults would speak to us teenagers and tell us that we are each special, I would believe them. But, as Mr. McCullough explains in his speech, if each and every one of us is special, then in reality none of us are. The definition of special is, better, greater, or otherwise different from what is usual. By these standards, he is absolutely right in saying that none of us are special. Also in his commencement speech, Mr. McCullough talks about how our motives for achieving greatness have altered as the years go on. I find this to be highly evident in myself as well as my peers. We as students are constantly told by our counselors and teachers to join clubs, do sports and take rigorous classes because “it will look good on a college application”. Little do they know that they are only encouraging the mindset of doing things for the reward or outcome, rather than because you actually want to make a difference. David McCullough explained this an a very simple and elegant way, and it was a joy to read his speech.
Autumn Begley
Hopes Academy
Dear Ms. Carlson
ReplyDeleteIn the speech “You are not Special” by David McCullough, a scheme that recognized was repetition known as anaphora. For example, he states “ Climb the mountain not to plant your flag, but to embrace the challenge, enjoy the air and behold the view. Climb it so you can see the world, not so the world can see you.” By using these two schemes the author is stating that you shouldn’t do it something to please others, but do it for yourself.
One trope that I identify in McCullough’s speech is exaggeration, sarcasm. He uses it as he says “Contrary to what your u9 soccer trophy suggests, your glowing seventh grade report card, despite every assurance of a certain corpulent purple dinosaur, that nice Mister Rogers and your batty Aunt Sylvia, no matter how often your maternal caped crusader has swooped in to save you… you’re nothing special. He is saying that just because you have good grades and achieve many things it doesn’t make you special and for a sense of humor he added the purple dinosaur.
In David McCullough’s speech “You are not Special” I agree and disagree with him. In the beginning on his speech when he says “You are not special. You are not exceptional.” I disagree with him because growing up we’ve always told that we are special and everyone is unique in their own way, making us special. But throughout his speech I understood what he was stating, he was trying to say you are not special because everyone is special. I agree that having good grades and rewards doesn’t make you special. Overall I thought this speech is compelling and inspiring.
Sincerely,
Zhaira Agrade
Hopes
Dear Ms. Sette,
ReplyDeleteOne scheme that David McCullough uses in his speech, “You Are Nothing Special”, is antithesis. It can be seen in the quote, “Whether male or female, tall or short, scholar or slacker, spray-tanned prom queen or intergalactic X-Box assassin, each of you is dressed, you’ll notice, exactly the same.” By mentioning all of the things that make high school students different from another, from physical appearance to interests, the author uses antithesis to contrast the seniors graduating. After addressing those differences, McCullough states they are all wearing the same cap and gown, and then goes on to say that none of the graduates are special. The purpose of the paragraph that the quote came from is to humble the graduates. Had the antithesis not been there to address these differences, the students may dismiss what is being said because they believe that the differences make them special.
One troupe that McCullough uses is simile. He states in his speech, “Normally, I avoid clichés like the plague….” This is the use of simile to describe the degree in which the author avoids clichés.
I do agree with the author about how we should believe that we are not special. If everyone focused on how special they were and were self-absorbed, the world would not be a very nice place. Focusing on what is around you and experiencing life and where it takes you is much more fulfilling than focusing on yourself, in my opinion. Sometimes, contributing to the population instead of yourself can be more fulfilling as well. That is why I agree David McCullough.
Sincerely,
Jenna Stone
IDEAS
You are Nothing Special
ReplyDeleteIn the very humbling speech by David McCullough the uses of anaphora is used add emphasis to the topic. In this example, “how little you know… how little you know now… at the moment… for today is just the beginning. It’s where you go from here that matters.” In this example McCullough is trying to explain all you think you know is nothing to what “you” will learn.
In the speech an example of a Tropes would be exaggeration. An example of this would be in his speech when he refers to the students as “Nothing Special” this is an exaggeration because it doesn’t actually mean the students are nothing special. What he was trying to say is that you can’t just wait and expect “special” thing to come to you whenever you need it.
This speech is very hard hitting and humbling. Overall I agree with McCullough in his idea of going and making your future not waiting for it to come and find you, you have to go and “learn”, “life isn’t something that will fall into your lap.” So you have to go and work for it.
Truthfully,
Noah LaMadrid
Ideas
Dear Ms. Carlson,
ReplyDeleteIn David McCullough's speech he uses repetition or anaphora for the scheme of his speech. In the sentences “And read...read all the time...read as a matter of principle, as a matter of self-respect. Read as a nourishing staple of life. Develop and protect a moral sensibility and demonstrate the character to apply it.” The word “read” appears throughout these sentences. When analyzing how the word “read” was used through the sentences I found that it could mean confidence because the more knowledge you have the more confidence you will show.
McCullough uses a wide variety of word play through metaphors in this speech. “the distinctive life, relevant life, is an achievement, not something that will fall into your lap because you’re a nice person or mommy ordered it from the caterer.” Life in general is an achievement to where we are born special but since “everyone is special. we are not special.” We all need to work hard and do what needs to be done without our moms.
In the beginning of the speech I got a little confused on why we weren’t special because everyone knows they’re special in their own way. But after McCullough said that “you see if everyone is special, then no one is.” This sentence then hit me with the realization that everyone is special. But since we are all special no one is really special and is seen the exact same. Everyone is wearing the same thing, getting the same diploma, etc.
Sincerely,
Keisha Aki
HOPES
1. Yes, capable adults with other things to do have held you, kissed you, fed you, wiped your mouth, wiped your bottom, trained you, taught you, tutored you, coached you, listened to you, counseled you, encouraged you, consoled you and encouraged you again. He is repeating you and the things that people have done for you. This is an example of anaphora.
ReplyDelete2. Normally, I avoid clichés like the plague, wouldn’t touch them with a ten-foot pole. The first part is a simile, and the next part is a metaphor.
3. I partly agree with David McCullough’s speech. I agree that everyone one is special, but no that as a result of everyone being special, no one is. I believe that every human life is one of a kind. I agree that at commencement everyone is basically the same, and that just because of graduating high school you are not inherently special. It is the things that you are going to do that make you special, unique, one in 7 billion. You may not be special now, but you could easily be in the future. At this point in my life I haven’t done anything special, nothing that hasn’t been done before. But I want to do something that will make a difference. So none of us are special... yet. Which is something that I think he is trying to say at the end of the speech. When he tell the graduates to “Make for yourselves, please, for your sake and for ours, extraordinary lives.” He is telling them that they aren’t special but that they can be. I enjoyed McCullough’s speech immensely. His syntax and diction made and intermittent bouts of humor was refreshing in the mostly solemn message.
Yours Truly,
Victor Sanchez
IDEAS
Dear Ms. Sette,
ReplyDeleteIn David McCullough’s speech, “You’re not special”, one scheme of repetition that I depicted was Anadiplosis. This scheme of repetition is found in the quote, “Your planet, I’ll remind you, is not the center of its solar system, your solar system is not the center of its galaxy, your galaxy is not the center of the universe”. Anadiplosis is the repetition of if the last word of a sentence with the beginning of the next sentence, which is exactly what McCullough achieved in that section of his speech. David McCullough used not only schemes of repetition, but trope’s as well. One type of trope that I read in the speech was a trope of exaggeration, being sarcasm. McCullough said in his speech, “The fulfilling life, the distinctive life, the relevant life, is an achievement, not something that will fall into your lap because you’re a nice person or mommy ordered it from the caterer”. This was a perfect example of sarcasm that was said in “You’re not special”, speech.
At the beginning of McCullough’s speech I was quite surprised with how blunt he accused everyone of not being special. At this point I had not come up with thoughts on whether I agreed or disagreed with the statement. As the speech went on, I found myself agreeing with all of the things David McCullough said in his speech. He made me think about myself as a small person in a big world and brought on the realization that none of us are actually, technically, special. Overall I completely agree with the entire speech. I feel that everyone has the opportunity to make a life for themselves and live it how they want, and I agree that we shouldn’t wait around to be applauded for our common achievements.
Sincerely,
Malia Hickey
IDEAS
Dear Ms. Sette
ReplyDeleteDavid McCullough’s speech “You Are Nothing Special” uses many schemes to not only help get his point across but also to make his speech more appealing to hear. One very obvious example is anadiplosis which is a form of repetition. An example found near the beginning of the speech is. “What about weddings?” Weddings are one-sided and insufficiently effective.” As you can clearly see the word weddings is used at the end of the first sentence and then at the beginning of the following sentence. This scheme contributes to his main argument by drilling in the fact that weddings are a common misconception of this topic. Furthering the fact that graduating from high school is a bigger commencement.
Something else that McCullough used to help accomplish his point was to use sarcasm which is a commonly used form of exaggeration. An example that can be found in his speech is “that wisdom is the chief element of happiness. (Second is ice cream… just an fyi)” This little inserted blurb about ice cream in the middle of a deeper part of the speech about the value of learning lightens the mood of the speech a little bit and also contributed to the later part of the speech where he talks about exploring and living life.
I found that after reading McCullough’s speech I agree with the argument that he is presenting. I found that all of the information that he is presenting that qualifies to you not being special when you graduate high school to be very true. “Across the country no fewer than 3.2 million seniors are graduating about now from more than 37,000 high schools. That’s 37,000 valedictorians… 37,000 class presidents… 92,000 harmonizing altos… 340,000 swaggering jocks… 2,185,967 pairs of Uggs.” This use of sheer numbers is one or the points in the essay where I really found myself agreeing with the fact that we are not special and numbers are the best way to present that. These simple numbers back up his argument that you aren’t special if you one in 3.2 million how could you possibly consider that special.
Sincerely,
Wylie Barker
IDEAS