What makes this speech so interesting

Steve Jobs Stanford Commencement Speech

Most of us would have seen this viral speech but here is an analysis of what factors make it so interesting to hear and garned it the widespread reach across countries and regions!

The main purpose of this speech is to convey the idea that one has to find the work which can lead them to their passion. It is a short but well-structured speech. There are certain factors that makes this speech so interesting.

1.The structure of this speech

i. Introduction 

- Steve Jobs makes a very quick introduction that creates an instant relationship with the audience. 

- He begins his speech by delivering humour, making the introduction a very frank yet humorous introduction.

“Truth be told, I never graduated from college. And this is the closest I’ve ever gotten to a college graduation.”

- Steve Jobs

- At the end of his introduction, he expresses his main content of the speech

- This way Steve Jobs prepares his audience to open their minds to hear his story.

ii. Main points : Connecting the dots

- Steve Jobs tells his real life incidents which put him out of his comfort zone

- His hurdles and challenges that he faced in the past catches audience curiosity

- By telling the audience the ideology of perceiving incidents which are not in control of one’s conscience makes his hurdles even more interesting

Again, you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.

- Steve Jobs

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iii. Main points : Love and Loss

- In this part of his speech, Steve Jobs makes his ideology of doing passionate job more practical to his audience.

- It has chronological order as he tails his story.

iv. Main points : Philosophy of death

- Steve Jobs expresses his very approach of day to day motivation

- Asking a very deep question to himself in the mirror makes his approach of philosophy of death more convincing to his audience.

v. Conclusion : Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish

- Steve Jobs ends his speech by making a powerful mark

- It leaves the audience with an impact of seeing the future undertakings in the most optimistic way like Steve Jobs

2. Choice of words or Vocabulary

- Steve Jobs uses simple yet most appropriate words to convey his thoughts and stories to his audience.

- Phrases such as “ Connecting the Dots”, “ if today were my last day of my life” and “ stay hungry and stay foolish” create powerful impact to his audience

3. Tone of the speech

- Steve Jobs expresses his speech in a variety of tones ranging from uplifting tonality to humorous then inspiring tone of speech.

- He emphasizes and use small pauses in between his speech which outlines the structure of speech