Contrasting Commencement Speeches
Connor Young
Erxleben
7th Hour
5/29/15
Contrasting Commencement Speeches
It is common for celebrities to make commencement speeches at universities to bring encouragement to graduating classes about to face the real world. Ellen DeGeneres and Conan O’Brian are two examples of celebrities who have participated in this type of speech. In both of these speeches they convey their message through comedic means, although they express different opinions on life in the adult world. Both have had different experiences in life that have led them to these different opinions. Ellen expresses that she believes that you should follow your own destiny and not let others opinion influence your decisions in life and Conan believes your path will change many times throughout your life.
Ellen DeGeneres conveys her life experiences with humor and wit but she also expresses a serious underlying message using aphorisms such as, “Follow your own passion, stay true to yourself.”
She is expressing that thou listening to others advice may be helpful, you should always do what feels right and don’t allow others to change you. Being comfortable with who you are regardless if that is being a dreamer, being of a certain race, religious belief, or sexual orientation allows to to accel in other attributes. She also states, “For me, the most important thing in your life is to live your life with integrity, and not to give into peer pressure. To try to be something that you're not.” Putting emphasis on the theme of not letting others affect who you are but also saying to live with a sense of character.
Conan states through his comedic prowess that you should follow your passions but to expect your path to change. When he states, “Well I am here to tell you that whatever you think your dream is now, it will probably change and that's okay.” he explains that circumstances change and your aspirations in life will
Erxleben
7th Hour
5/29/15
Contrasting Commencement Speeches
It is common for celebrities to make commencement speeches at universities to bring encouragement to graduating classes about to face the real world. Ellen DeGeneres and Conan O’Brian are two examples of celebrities who have participated in this type of speech. In both of these speeches they convey their message through comedic means, although they express different opinions on life in the adult world. Both have had different experiences in life that have led them to these different opinions. Ellen expresses that she believes that you should follow your own destiny and not let others opinion influence your decisions in life and Conan believes your path will change many times throughout your life.
Ellen DeGeneres conveys her life experiences with humor and wit but she also expresses a serious underlying message using aphorisms such as, “Follow your own passion, stay true to yourself.”
She is expressing that thou listening to others advice may be helpful, you should always do what feels right and don’t allow others to change you. Being comfortable with who you are regardless if that is being a dreamer, being of a certain race, religious belief, or sexual orientation allows to to accel in other attributes. She also states, “For me, the most important thing in your life is to live your life with integrity, and not to give into peer pressure. To try to be something that you're not.” Putting emphasis on the theme of not letting others affect who you are but also saying to live with a sense of character.
Conan states through his comedic prowess that you should follow your passions but to expect your path to change. When he states, “Well I am here to tell you that whatever you think your dream is now, it will probably change and that's okay.” he explains that circumstances change and your aspirations in life will