Speech Analysis: Ellen DeGeneres

Hello!

In class on Wednesday (1/28/15), you'll be analyzing Ellen DeGeneres's Commencement Speech at Tulane University from 2009. The questions that go along with this speech should be in your folders on page 9; it's a purple sheet. You can write your responses on the page underneath the purple sheet.

Please be sure to read the entire question, and respond appropriately. I have copied the questions at the bottom of this post in case you cannot find your purple sheet.

If you get done early and want to see her speech from 2006, which she references in her 2009 address, you can watch that here. There are no questions to answer for the 2006 speech.

Here are the questions in case you cannot find yours:

1. Describe 2 nonverbal communication behaviors that Ellen DeGeneres utilizes during her speech.  What were these and how did she use these to her benefit her speech?  (For example: dancing – Ellen dances at the end of her speech to celebrate the success of the graduates and have a little fun.)
2. What was the thesis, or the overall main point, of Ellen’s speech?
3. Ellen uses other sources/people to support her ideas.  Name one outside source, or author, that Ellen uses in her speech, and explain how and why she uses her sources. 
4. Ellen also uses humor in her speech. Find one example and explain how she uses comedy in her speech.
5. The speaker uses her audience’s knowledge and experiences to develop a speech that relates to them. List and explain one example of how Ellen uses her audience’s knowledge to connect with them.
6. How does Ellen conclude her speech?  Explain the effectiveness of her conclusion.
7. What 3 pieces of advice from your Advice for Speakers fold out did Ellen follow? What could she work on for future speeches?