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Lift Off: Harvard Graduation Speech

Donovan Livingston graduated from Harvard University in 2016. He was asked to speak at the graduation so he did. Donovan wrote a poem called “Lift Off”. In it he spoke of his life. His ancestors and slavery. He spoke of a new hope. A hope that kids can have to reach for the stars and to be up with them. He spoke of how each and every person has the ability to succeed and to exceed any expectations set for them. In his closing line, Livingston said “They say that the sky's the limit, but it is only the beginning. Lift off.” His speech was one of power and he used many rhetorical devices.

Livingston was a Harvard graduate and to establish himself more as a speaker he talked about how he had given a similar type of speech at his high school graduation. He used pathos when talking about his life. About what he was like in school and how his teacher used his energy to make him a great speaker. The logos used was that he was one of the top members in his class and so he knew what he was talking about. Livingston used many hand and head motions when talking and it was fun to watch him and his passion when he was talking. He used good pauses and got loud when he needed to but ended in a softer tone which allowed his message to resonate. It was a powerful speech and a very inspiring one.
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  1. AnonymousMay 6, 2017 at 2:17 PM

    I've heard that most graduation speeches, whether high school or college, tend to be rather similar. I am sure that this is one resides in a class of its own. His powerful rhetoric gives the listener the ability and reason to feel inspired

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