Q2 - Dove In her 2016 commencement address to the graduating students at the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, Rita Dove first dismisses the popular speech topics of life advice, then encourages the graduates to strive and have determination, then finally treasures them about the opportunities of an unknown future by conveying her wishes that the students take risks and follow their passion in order to set the students up for success in an unknown part of their life. Rita Dove felt that most commencement speeches focus on one thing, life advice. To stand out and give the graduation class words that they’ll remember, she instead wishes upon them. These wishes are more interpretive than literal as she wishes for hunger, hard work, and …show more content…
Another key ideal for success is to strive and be dedicated towards anything and everything you want. Dove encouraged this behavior to the graduating class as she learned that it was helpful to her career. She was told a list of what people wish they heard, and one consisted of the following that attracts you the most. She wished that the students would eventually reach their goals and attack them despite being limited by their time at school. She states, “You wanted to eat the world, and all everyone else wanted you to do was get good grades.” This quote shows how the students are held back from achieving their goals and how she emphasizes the importance of chasing their goals by “breaking out” and working hard towards their passion. Dove also uses repetition throughout the third part of the speech —I wish you hard work— as 150% is shown to be a motivator for her. Being a Nobel Peace Prize winner, Rita Dove explains how 150% towards your goal will prepare you for everything, and that taking time to prepare beforehand will always help you. Dove clearly stated how it is better to be prepared and that striving for your goals with hard work will help these graduating students prepare for the unknown before