Speech Analysis Essay Example

Speech Analysis Essay

The puzzle of motivation by Dan Pink (TED 2009)

Pink delivers a very well organized speech. He opens the speech very strongly when he states- "I need to make a confession…” – creating a mystery and drawing the audience in instantly. The hilarity woven into the opening invokes a strong amusement from the audience. He frames his speech as a case study and not a story, which emphasizes the purpose of the speech as a learning opportunity for the audience –"I don’t want to tell you a story. I want to make a case. I want to make a hard-headed, evidence-based, dare I say lawyerly case for rethinking how we run our businesses.” (1.34). With this thesis statement, Pink states his intention in a very effective manner drawing fully, the attention of the audience. He institutes a framework around his subject. Since Pink’s primary message overrides the conventional business wisdom it is likely that his audience would be skeptical but he manages to assure them that his speech is not composed of a fictional anecdote but a concrete case – a truthful, clear, logical argument. He refers specifically to his audience as "ladies and gentlemen of the Jury…” (1.51) cementing this framework further. He references this framework later in the speech twice when he states- "Let me marshal the evidence, because I’m not telling a story. I’m making a case, ladies and gentlemen of the jury…” (9:05) and when ending his speech - "I rest my case.” (18:28)

Pink’s speech is also very strong in both ethos (credibility of the speaker) and Logos (logical argument). He builds his logos in a number of ways. This is indicated in his statements - "This is not a feeling … This is not a philosophy… This is a fact… ” (8:33) and "Some of you may look at this and say ‘Hm. Sounds nice, but it’s utopian.’ But I say ‘nope’. I have proof.” (16:02). These passages appeared as the most emphatic in the whole speech. With the second statement, Pink addresses directly an opposing point of view that he proceeds further to offer a real, tangible evidence to consolidate his position. With these passages, he manages to strike at the heart of his audience opposition. In the speech, he  mentions academic research at internationally renowned institutions, including MIT (9:10),  the University of Chicago, Princeton , (3:08) United States’ Federal Reserve Bank, London School of Economics and Carnegie Mellon, -"alma mater of 11 Nobel Laureates in Economics” (10:48). All these mentioned institutions have high ethos, and it adds credibility by association to Pink’s speech by referencing them.

Half-way in the speech, he makes the first overt connection between the audience and his topic. His statement -"Think about your own work… everybody in this room is dealing with their own version of the candle problem” (7:49) flatters the audience, since it means that they are all affianced in truly challenging and difficult labor. More prominently, it makes his massage more personal. He persuades his audience repeatedly referencing "the candle problem” which the audiences hear it as "my problem”. His speech is composed of thoughts provoking ideas. He wisely injects hilarity throughout his presentation. He states in the 38th second, - "I need to make a confession. I did something I regret… in a moment of youthful indiscretion, I went to law school” and in the 1st minute -"I graduated in the part of my law school class that made the top 90% possible.” Both of these statements are humorous and they build connection with the audience. Another notable element is Pink’s speech is the use of contrast. The most memorable is the catch phrase he introduces with a slide that states, - "there’s a mismatch between what science knows and what business does (5:18)”. This cleverly crafted phrase is spoken multiple times at 11:35 17:28 and 18:02.

Though Pink could lessen his finger wagging, his body language and gestures use throughout the speech are excellent. He manages to match his gestures and movements to the large venue. One cannot watch without realizing his enthusiasm and energy, which comes out strongly. An example, of this is shown when he indicates the low, the medium, and the high rewards using his hand. If for instance, this was a usual, PowerPoint presentation, probably a chart could have been used. Conversely, he exhibits that the most significant visual is the speaker. Equally, the vocal variety he exhibits is worthy of emulation. He uses varied pace, pauses, emphasis and volume excellently. Not only does this aid in conveying his convictions and enthusiasm, but it also helps in adding drama throughout the speech and brings about understanding.
References
Global, T. (2009, August). Dan Pink: The puzzle of motivation. Retrieved April 03, 2013, from TED