Introduction to Speeches - Essay Example

He notes that one ought to enjoy the works of Aristotle, Shakespeare, Dickens, Shaw, Galsworthy, and Barrie. (Safire 1). The social contract between teachers and students is a speech by professor Jacob Neusner delivered during the orientation of freshmen students at Elizabethtown College. Neusner begins by challenging learners in regard to the amount of money they spend on education at the college. He further shows them how they have been sent by their parents to learn and the good reception they have been accorded by their professors.

The speech focuses on opening the minds of the learners by showing them how important it is to do personal reading. The teachers’ contribution is only a small percentage; the large percentage of learning involves personal research. The speech also encourages students to question teachers on anything they deliver to them. Sitting down, listening and taking notes are discouraged. What is vital is discovery. Teacher models are Jesus, Socrates, and Hillel who used unique techniques of instruction (Safire 1).

The two speeches show some similarities. Most importantly, the two speeches show the use of various aspects of rhetoric, a technique or art of argumentation or discourse. Both speeches are directed to students with the aim of helping them realize their potential as learners. Most students do not realize the importance of having their own library. They usually borrow books at the time they want to read and later return them to their owners or to the library. A borrowed book, just as Phelps says, can be returned any time the owner wants it back.

It cannot be helpful like one’s own book. The purpose of education is to seek knowledge. Having a collection of books will help students have wide knowledge on many disciplines and aspects in life. Neuser’s emphasis on personal research is meant to make students get innovative and creative instead of listening and taking notes for the purpose of passing exams. It is a challenge to many who hate teachers who do not give out notes and instead deliver ‘boring lectures’ as many would call them.

Rhetoric devices manipulate language with the aim of making the reader or listener understand the message. Aristotle focuses on three components of writing namely ethos, logos, and pathos meant to persuade or appeal to the audience (Jardine and Bacon 45). In the owning of books speech, the thesis is clear and specific. The thesis is supported by strong reasons, is well reasoned and has a credible message. The reasons for owning one’s library speech ensures that the learner gets what she/he wants in the time of need.

It also provides them with a platform for improving and expanding their knowledge. Neusner’s speech is an advice to students to gear their efforts toward personal reading and innovativeness. The tone used in both speeches is one of encouragement, challenge, and emphasis on cultivation of knowledge. Both writers are professionals in the topics they are talking about. Phelps owns a collection of books while Neusner is a professor. Clear examples to engage the audience’s emotions and imaginations are given in each speech.

Appeals and illustrations to the value of education are given by Neusner when he compares good teachers with Jesus, Socrates and Hiller. Phelps also shows how one can interact with Aristotle, Shakespeare, and other great thinkers through