Introduction
On Aug 27, 2019, I attended a nurses’ graduation ceremony at Walden University where the keynote speaker, Diane Sieg, gave a speech on the challenges and rewards of a career in nursing. It was my third graduation ceremony and the most memorable one since I am studying to be a nurse. In this analysis, I will evaluate the speaker’s credibility, delivery, language choices, quality of arguments, and ethical considerations.
Credibility
Diane Sieg was introduced as a nurse practitioner with more than three decades of expertise having graduated thirty-seven years ago. She was also highly regarded as a professional in nursing, where she earned a Master’s degree. She has also worked as a board member in several committees that deal with nursing related issues. She established her authority as a nursing specialist due to her extensive background and prestigious credentials. She had also been a past graduation keynote speaker, so her credibility could be well noted from her previous speech.
Delivery
The speaker kept the audience’s attention throughout her speech since she made genuine connections with her listeners and did not raise her voice above a comfortable level. Her open and assured body language added to the credibility of her delivery. She maintained her poise and power as a speaker by dressing professionally and not revealing any signs of fluency issues hence, showing that she was confident. She maintained eye contact the audience all through during her presentation. The speaker’s delivery successfully captured the listeners’ attention and cemented the message in their minds.
Language Choices
The speaker’s eloquent and professional language enriched her presentation at the ceremony. She discussed the benefits and drawbacks of the nursing profession through her personal stories and anecdotes. Her use of words and quotes like “nursing is not a job but a calling” was an encouragement to the graduating nurses to have passion in their career (Walden University, 2019). The speaker also employed audience-appropriate technical jargon when addressing the significance of medication dosages and patient monitoring. Due to this, the information in her speech was very beneficial and interesting to me as one of the listeners and the others present.
Quality of Arguments
I can confirm that the quality of the speaker’s arguments was very good. She used examples from her practice, such as the emotional strain of caring for terminally ill patients, to support her assertions. She considered fallout from her arguments, covering topics like patient safety and the possible damage caused by medical mistakes. The presenter also backed up her claims with evidence and figures, such as when she spoke about the rising need for healthcare professionals in the United States. This aided in making her points more persuasive and powerful.
Ethical Considerations
The ethics of the speaker’s discourse were upheld, given that she delivered an upbeat message about the value of nursing without resorting to unethical methods. The speaker’s credibility and authority were bolstered by her arguments being grounded in study and her own experiences. She also emphasized the importance of always being ethical as a practicing nurse. According to her, ethics is a pillar of any profession and make ethical decisions makes one grow in their career.
Persuasion Techniques
The speaker successfully combined logical reasoning with emotional appeals. Her background and training lent credence to her claims. Her discussion of nursing’s positive influence on patients’ lives and her satisfaction while providing for them was an emotional appeal to the audience. Finally, she used logos in her speech by providing proof and logical arguments. The speaker’s use of ethos, pathos, and logos improved her points’ overall persuasiveness and impact.
Effectiveness
The audience was interested in what the speaker had to say, and she backed up her claims with solid proof. Her address was memorable and impactful since she used powerful language and presented solid arguments. The purpose of the speaker’s address, to highlight the value of nursing, was accomplished. Her address helped give listeners background on nursing careers so they could make educated choices in their careers as nurses. She kept the audience interested and her address memorable by drawing on anecdotes, reputable sources, and persuasion strategies. The speech accomplished what it set out to do and was a triumph.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the keynote speaker’s address at the nurses’ commencement successfully established her credibility, engaged the audience, and provided credible evidence to support her claims. Her use of effective language and the quality of her arguments contributed to the memorability and persuasiveness of her speech. Her well-researched arguments and personal experiences helped establish her credibility and authority as a speaker. She used evidence from her own experiences, statistics, and data to bolster her arguments, making them more convincing and persuasive. The presenter’s delivery was assured and captivating. She maintained excellent eye contact with the audience, spoke at an appropriate rate and volume, and was appropriately attired. The absence of disfluencies contributed to the speaker’s continued confidence and authority. As intended, due to her ethical behavior, the speaker’s speech effectively advocated the value of nursing as a profession. Her use of personal experiences, credible sources, and persuasive strategies helped capture the audience’s attention and make her speech memorable. The purpose of the commencement address delivered by the keynote speaker at the nurses’ graduation was successfully achieved.
Reference
Walden University. (2019). Keynote Speech: Walden University Nursing Commencement 2019. In YouTube. Web.