Steve Jobs Speech Analysis

Steve Jobs' Commencement Speech Analysis

Stanford University (2005)

Conclusion

We consider Steve Jobs’ Commencement Speech at Stanford University in 2005 effective because of his use of rhetorical devices. Which he uses to connect with the audience and they learn who Steve Jobs actually was.

Pauses and Timing

Steve Jobs executes pauses within the speech effectively:

"even when it leads you to well-worn path and that will make all the difference" (six seconds of silence)

However, his timing was off while delivering the punch lines:

"I didn't even know what the Pancreas was" (No pause, No emphasis)

Conversational Style

Rule of Three

Steve Jobs choose to use Colloquial language style instead of Formal :

"Steven Wozniak and I founded Apple" (Formal)

"Woz and I started Apple" (Colloquial)

Jobs' structures his speech around three main points and uses 'The Rule of Three' :

"[1] all external expectations, [2] all pride, [3] all fear"

This is also an example of an Anaphora.

Structure of the Speech and Sentences

Steve Jobs acquired a simple and traditional structure:

Opening >> Three Stories >> Conclusion

He used simple sentences:

''Today I want to tell you three stories.''

"The first story is about connecting the dots.''

''My second story is about love and loss."

''My third story is about death."

Purpose

Story Three: Death

Jobs was invited at Stanford to inspire graduates to persue their passion. His intention was to inform students about his life. He emphasized his point by stating:

"Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life"

Strong influence on the lives of young adults that seek further education.

Steve jobs talks about his own cancer diagnosis.

"This was the closest I have been to facing death"

Theme:

-- Birth -- Death -- Rebirth

- His relationship to Apple

- His college career

- His cancer diagnosis

Story Two: Love and Loss

Audience

Steve Jobs found his true love in college. He encourages graduates to explore themselves, find what they love.

"You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers"

Jobs presents a mirror of success in front of the graduates. Jobs reinforced the idea of hope, and explaining how he never lost hope.

"Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't loose faith"

Steve Jobs is delivering his speech to Stanford University Multicultural graduates. He begins with complimenting his audience:

"I am honored to be with you today for your commencement from one of the finest universities in the world"

He follows by admitting that he never graduated university, making his audience feel cheerful about themselves.

Story One - Connecting the Dots

Jobs tells his life story in short to the audience, he begins with: "I dropped out of Reed College after the first 6 months"

- Dropped out of college

- Dropped in calligraphy classes

Core message is:

"You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward"

"You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards" : Steve Jobs (2005)