Margaret talbot ,throughout her piece, shows how students have been focused on getting the title of “Valedictorian” when really it is just causing several issues Talbot uses different rhetorical devices to have a personal connection with her readers and make her argument more credible. The author explains the difficulties in getting valedictorian and the problems that it has with some students who believe they deserve the title. Talbot explains how students who received valedictorian are still academically skilled in college; however, nobody really cares whether or not you got valedictorian. Talbots message appeals to the audience’ s emotions when she shows the amount of stress and work that students put themselves through in order to qualify
In many high schools across the nation, valedictorians are appointed to represent the senior class at graduation. Many people see the valedictorian as the best student in the entire class or maybe just the most popular. Either way, stakes are high when appointing a single student to this position, and much controversy has been discovered as to what qualifies a student to become the one. Academics are generally the aspect that principals consider most when deciding. In “Best in Class,” author Margaret Talbot uses rhetoric devices such as effective quotes and expressive personal anecdote, two assets tied to ethos, to support her claim that appointing a single valedictorian is an unfair custom among U.S. high schools.
On June 1, 2012, David McCullough Jr. delivered a commencement speech to the graduating class of Wellesley High School. The speech was presented in Wellesley, Massachusetts among the graduates, close family, and friends. McCullough may not be a professional public speaker, but he is a well-known and respected English teacher at Wellesley High. In his speech McCullough made the valid point that graduation is the beginning of life and the long road ahead. The message from that day became known as the “You Are Not Special” speech, and is found to be controversial but memorable.
The framers of the constitution regarded Congress as the preeminent branch of the federal government and granted Congress the power to make laws. The U.S. Congress is a bicameral legislature, which consist of the House and Senate. Congress was created in a way to satisfy both large and and small states through a debate to be known as the Great Compromise. The compromise stated that each state would have two Senators, in one chamber(Senate), and a number of Representatives propertaint to the state's population in the second chamber(House of Representatives).
Margaret Talbot’s “Best in Class” is an enticing and informational article about the argument on whether or not Valedictorians are a good thing. Having one valedictorian has been a tradition in schools for many, many years; however, as times change, students are becoming more invested and determined in school, so many kids are missing being valedictorian by 0.001%. Therefore, Talbot brings to light both sides of the story in this extraordinary article. Although Margaret seems to not choose a side, it is obvious through her strong diction and testimonies that she believes that appointing a single valedictorian is an unfair custom throughout U.S. schools.
Upon hearing the word “valedictorian,” many visualise an incredibly intelligent, studious young person who must be better than the rest, which to some can seem unfair--rewarding one student in front of so many hardworking others-- it’s a bit discouraging. On the other hand, one thing a valedictorian can do is write an impressive essay. In Margaret Talbot’s article “Best in Class,” she illustrates her idea that the idealistic of valedictorian isn’t necessarily awful, but can be improved upon in order to appeal to a larger group of hardworking people. Talbot uses various testimonies and anecdotes from previous students throughout her piece in order to establish her logos and/or ethos. For starters, the first example Talbot pulls is from a former
In “Best in Class”, Margaret Talbot reveals the stressful lives of students in high school. The majority can relate to her essay since most have endured this unforgiving time in life. The main point Talbot debates is the competition for valedictorian. The author shows that being valedictorian is a respectable honor; however, in recent years it has been corrupted and should be modified by implementing passionate pathos and understanding persona. Talbot is able to use great pathos to advance her message regarding valedictorian.
To be presented as valedictorian, to have the opportunity to speak at graduation, to walk across the stage knowing you’ve worked extremely hard over the past 4 years - that is an honor. The title valedictorian began as an innocent award to reward the top student in each class; however, students have turned it into an enormous competition. These competitions have resulted in lawsuits, sour attitudes, and negativity towards one another. In “Best In Class,” Margaret Talbot clearly displays her message that the honor of valedictorian rewards those who work hard, but the award, over time, has become corrupt, thus, needing modification through her strong use of the appeals and her informative persona. Margaret Talbot uses each of the appeals to
The memory of each student’s accomplishment will forever be overshadowed by the mess of the Induction Ceremony that was originally meant to acknowledge them. I believe that the event could and should have been more smoothly conducted, for the sake of all involved. However, although the Honor Society Induction Ceremony was disorganized, I am still very honored to have been granted this prestigious award and would not have changed my decision to strive for it, if I was given the chance to begin
Throughout the course of history, education has always been an important piece of humanity. Learning, studying, a rigid workload, and applying knowledge to the real world-that is what education is. From education came the valedictorian, a student who has received an academic title of success, and was meant to be a reward for students who deserved it. Even though it may be somewhat competitive, it was never meant to do any harm. In “Best in Class” Margaret Talbot conveys how she wants to keep the tradition of a single valedictorian but wishes to reduce how obsessive people get over it through her appeals to logos and her selective presentation.
Walking into graduation, every graduate expects to hear the same speech with little variance about reaching an important milestone in life but still having many more milestones. Paul Hawken delivered a different message with his commencement address, You Are Brilliant and the Earth Is Hiring. His message was filled with hope for the future since people are working together to build a better world for all. Hawken begins with, “Humanity is coalescing.
Good morning, I welcome you all here today to the 2015 Science National Honor Society Induction Ceremony. I am honored to been asked to speak and to celebrate this wonderful occasion. I would like to congratulate to the students for being honored today for your achievements in leadership, community service, scholarship, character and your enthusiasm on science which are shown through hardwork and dedication that each of you has displayed. I would also like to congratulate to the parents and families for showing unconditional support, motivation, encouragement and love on these remarkable young people which is why they are here today and continue this way in order to lead them to the path of success. In addition, I would like to congratulate
In Ellen’s commencement speech to the Tulane University class of 2009, the use of rhetorical questions, metaphors, allusions and hyperbole gives the graduating class a time to reflect and remember their time at the University connecting with the speaker in a special way, whilst also maintaing a light and happy mood, by using comedy and entertainment. For Ellen, the road to success was very difficult nd had a tragic beginning. Her girlfriend was killed in a car accident and she was living a very dull life. She had many unanswered questions but nobody was there to answer them. Ellen uses this episode to quickly explain a tragic event in her life.
Speech for NJHS Induction Ceremony Good evening students, faculty, and family members! Thank you, Mrs. Reece and Principal King, for inviting me to this year’s National Junior Honor Society induction ceremony. Students, tonight we honor your achievements in the areas of Scholarship, Citizenship, Responsibility, Community Service, Character, and Leadership as we recognize and celebrate the choices, and at times the sacrifices, you have made. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "The reward of a thing well done is to have done it."
This event was very successful as the event fostered many conversations and interactions between students and faculty. Another one of the Minerva goals is to enrich intellectual and cultural life outside the classroom. I have sought to enrich cultural life outside the classroom through my participation
