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Essay Available:
Pages:
3 pages/≈825 words
Sources:
3 Sources
Style:
MLA
Subject:
Literature & Language
Type:
Essay
Language:
English (U.S.)
Document:
MS Word
Date:
Total cost:
$ 10.8
Topic:

Rutherford’s Argument and the Age of Anxiety

Essay Instructions:

https://www(dot)npr(dot)org/sections/ed/2014/05/20/314264067/the-best-commencement-speech-ever
https://daily(dot)jstor(dot)org/the-delightful-language-of-commencement/
https://fs(dot)blog/david-foster-wallace-this-is-water/
In Doc 1: Exploratory writing
In 500 words or more, explain the central argument of Wallace's commencement speech. What evidence does he use to support his argument? How does he implement the traits of a great commencement speech as defined by Cory Turner and Chi Luu? Finally, do you find Wallace's argument persuasive? Why or why not?
In Doc 2: Answer following questions
According to Luu, what is researcher Markella Rutherford's argument about commencement speeches? What does Rutherford mean by "an age of anxiety"?
What do the most celebrated commencement speeches have in common? In other words, what are the findings of Luu's study?
What stands out to you about Luu's findings? How might you apply them to your upcoming commencement speech?
Turner provides us with the "anatomy" of successful commencement speeches. What genre convention do you think is the most important and why? Which one do you think you might struggle with?
Turner also provides us with the different types of messages found in commencement speeches: "you're special," "you're not special," and a mix of both. What message do think is the most rhetorically effective and why?

Essay Sample Content Preview:

Rutherford’s Argument and the Age of Anxiety
Markella Rutherford argues that commencement speeches have changed over time; moral authority is now subjective rather than objective, covering a person’s moral and personal choices. The researcher suggests that this inclination toward personal rather than moral choices reflects how individualistic we have becomeCITATION Chi16 \l 1033 (Luu). While these speeches have broken the boundaries of the traditional social rules, they may also have muddled how the public understands morality and contributed to an age of anxiety, meaning an increase in cases of anxiety disorder in the general population CITATION JST16 \l 1033 (JSTOR Daily).
Similarities of Renowned Commencement Speeches
The most famous commencement speeches use language in different ways to inspire and motivate the audiences. For example, Luu established that speakers use words like “Yes” several times to inspire their listeners to make positive personal choices, while “Like” is used to get the audience to relate with the speaker and understand the shared experience. Despite the diversity of the issues that every speech tries to address, the language used in commencement addresses includes words that we use daily in relations CITATION Chi16 \l 1033 (Luu).
Key Takeaway from Luu’s Findings...
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