Rhetorical Analysis Of Jim Carrey's Speech

To dream is to desire an achievement which seems unobtainable. Most everyone has trouble convincing themselves that their dreams are within reach. Jim Carrey once said, “So many of us choose our path out of fear disguised as practicality.” This is a result of allowing dreams to remain dreams and, instead, opting to take a more reliable path. In doing so, a sense of emptiness that never completely dies out is often developed. Jim Carrey has spoken publicly numerous times about his feelings toward following dreams, however, his commencement speech at the Maharishi University of Management stands out the most. Carrey's experience as an actor undoubtedly aided in his ability to project a highly impactful message to his audience. Projection, posture,

Awareness: “the quality that allows [the speaker] choice over [their] actions. Developing awareness allows [the speaker] to pick up the behaviors that serve [their] audience” (Lloyd-Hughes). Empathy: to begin a speech “from the perspective of the audience, seeking primarily to serve their aims” (Lloyd-Hughes). Freshness: the ability to be “unique, spontaneous and memorable” (Lloyd-Hughes). Balance: the ability to determine which information is added or removed in order to connect with an audience on a profound level. Fearlessness: Going beyond the speakers comfort zone to express how important the speech is. Authenticity: To speak genuinely and honestly “even if it is vulnerable and even if it feels inappropriate” (Lloyd-Hughes). Carrey very clearly demonstrates each of these qualities throughout his speech and they may have come easily due to his experience as an

They would say, 'what happened?!' and I would say, 'I don't know, let's check the replay' I'd go back to the top of the stairs and come back down in slow-motion”(Carrey). According to this quote, his career began in 1969, at just seven years old but it wasn't until 1983 that he made his television debut in a movie called Rubberface. From there, he played in several other minor rolls before landing a job on the show In Living Color; a sketch comedy show which assisted greatly in Carrey's rise to fame. By 1994 he was on easy street, starring in The Mask, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Dumb and Dumber all in the same year. Every character he portrayed in these movies along with a vast majority he portrayed throughout the entirety of his career shared one common goal: to make people laugh and smile. The experience he gained and the goal he maintained throughout his career made him a phenomenal public speaker by giving him the capability to “make people present their best selves to [him] wherever [he] goes” (Maharishi University of Management). His career is undeniably a key factor in this amazing ability, although, he may never have obtained it if it weren't for his relationship with his