View each of the commencement addresses:
Aaron Sorkin: http://slyoyster.com/cheap-thrills/2012/aaron-sorkins-syracuse-commencement-speech/
Amy Poehler: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7N_L_pu74k&feature=fvst
In 200 words, compare and contrast the speeches. How do the speakers use some of the same tactics? How are the speeches entirely different?
The both speeches have similarities as well as differences. Army Poehler took it much more easy introducing a lot of laughter and humor while Aaron Sorkin was more serious. Both of them used real life examples and metaphors as for example Aaron compares life to the Hollywood world: sometimes you are on the top just to become forgotten few minutes letter. On of the biggest differences in both cases is the approach. Aaron doesn’t want the graduates to repeat his mistakes, he tries to shows that life is tough but yet you can’t ever give up. The Army’s advice is different she admits that she doesn’t really know what to advice since the new Harvard graduates are in a completely different situation than she was at their age. She reminds them that they will do their own mistakes but she also introduces the idea that the new life that they are going to face is not as bad as it might seem and not as scary as it looks. Both speeches ended by summarizing the main points, the strategy was to make sure that the students would remember the most important part. For Poehler it was an advice to never be alone and collaborate with others and for Sorkin it was to be tough and never give up.
ReplyDeleteBoth speakers in their speeches want to share with the audience their experiences, tell them about the mistakes they have done, the obstacles they have faced and the things they have come over in order to be where they are. Since graduation is an end of a new beginning. The speakers wanted to express their thoughts in funny, but meaningful way by providing stories and jokes. Amy Poehler in her speech was more concentrated on the graduating class, she even has said: “in many ways I learn from you”. Amy wanted to tell them that even though they are just graduating they know more than they think they do. In her speech she was telling jokes while giving her advices and it was a great way how to make people remember your words. Her best words were “You can’t do it alone, you get to have someone”. Aaron Sorkin in his speech was more focused on his own life. He wanted to provide many examples from his life to show others that things in life will work out, if you do. Aaron was talking about his yeas in college and how he was on their places. Through his speech he was trying to say that even though students have finished college and got degree, they have seen nothing in their lives and there is much more to come. His best words were: “Decisions are made by those who show up”.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that both speeches have something in common. I also have to say that they differ in some parts. Both speeches have to send some message to all young people and show them something about life. Sorkin’s speech has a lot of attempts to get the attention. He is more serious and gives some advices to people. Poehler’s speech is different. I have to say that both speeches want to give some advice, but Poehler while not giving advice gives the advice but not directly. Sorkin gave more advices. Poehler gave speech that is funnier and people want to listen, because it is easier for them to listen to speech that is funnier. Sorkin gave speech that is serious. However, both speeches are supposed to give hope to graduates and show them that they are the ones who are deciding about their lives. Both speeches show that we make the choices and how the life will go is important and only we can decide. There are a lot of surroundings that shape our life, but how we handle the life is up to us. I think this is the main point of both speeches and the biggest similarity.
ReplyDeleteThey seem very close in forms of presentation. Very humorous and fun. Aarons speach talks mostly about the past and parent, whilst Amys speach is about boston, movies.
ReplyDeleteBoth speeches are inspirational and talk about how life changes and how we go forward through time and try to give tips on how to go.