A Rhetorical Analysis Of J. K. Rowling Commencement Speech
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Rhetorical Analysis “J.K. Rowling Commencement Speech”
On June 5th, 2008, J.K. Rowling delivered a commencement speech to the graduates of Harvard University. Rowling argues that when we encounter failure, it should not stop us from succeeding and believing in life. And no matter how badly it is we should continue to dream and surpass failure. In her speech, she illustrates the benefits of failure and the importance of imagination, and delivers it very rhetorically. She provided inspirational statements and perspectives to the graduates, who will be entering the adult life, and which then later on may face ‘failure’ that can examine their knowledge and strength. Throughout her speech, she uses rhetorical devices and factual evidence that strongly…show more content… She uses this relatable story to encourage specifically the graduates to do what they want to do, and to achieve what they want to achieve in life. Some people will let their parents decide for their kid’s life and expects them to obey it instead of letting them decide for their own future. Rowling experienced failure until she was able to rebuild her life. She states “I had failed on an epic scale. An exceptionally short-live marriage had imploded, and I was jobless, a lone parent, and as poor as it is possible to be in modern Britain, without being homeless…. I was the biggest failure I knew.” (Rowling 2 and 3) Knowing that she is a world famous author, it never comes to the audience’s mind the obstacles that she faced before succeeding in life. It was unexpected from her learning that she had failed many times and faced the rock bottom of her life, which leads her eagerness to pursue her dream. This actually turned out as her solid foundation and uses it to rebuild her life to be a successful and wealthy author as she is today. It is really amazing how people can surpass failure and be able to outsource their lives after experiencing the dark side of it. Telling her own story made the audience relate that in life there is no such thing as perfect life. That once in our lifetime, we will encounter failure and difficulties as part of being an