Ida la Cour (TD) Heebøll
English
Rungsted Gymnasium
15-04-20
2.C
SRK Speech
Analysis
Knowledge and principles can be learned through life lessons. Learning from your own mistakes
and other’s experiences can be very useful and relevant in your own life. Life lessons are the topic
explored in Shah Rukh Khan’s speech at the University of Edinburg. Khan is an extremely famous
actor who is also known as the King of Bollywood. He has done over 100 movies and has extended
his profession furthermore as a film producer, television personality and speaker. In 2015 Khan was
invited to the University of Edinburg to receive an honorary doctorate and to speak about life
lessons.
Khan opens his speech by showing gratitude for receiving the doctorate from the university. “But
that was a conference and this is a Doctorate from the prestigious University of Edinburgh. So I’m
going to try to sound intelligent and insightful especially for you today.” (P. 2, L 33-35). In this
quote, Khan acknowledges the University and therefore also the students by addressing the
University as “prestigious”. It makes the audience feel proud and happy of Khan’s presence when
complimenting their institution which is a way for him to connect with his audience. Another way
Khan connects with his audience is by the humoristic tone throughout his speech. “Instead let me
entertain you because you all deserve a break, and before the organizers could interject I started
thrusting my pelvic into their faces and broke out into the one and only intellectual thing I know to
do… The Lungi Dance.” (P. 2, L. 29-31). This quote is just one of many where Khan uses humor in
his speech. He uses the humoristic tone to bond with the audience and it makes him come across as
likeable. It puts the audience at ease and keeps them engaged in his speech.
The targeted and primary audience of the speech are the students of the University of Edinburgh
who receives the speech directly. Khan presents himself as being on the same level as the audience
by addressing them like this: “Most importantly, my friends; love yourselves.” (P.8, L. 215-216).
Khan creates a bond and includes the audience. It makes them feel comfortable and important when
approaching them as “friends” in his speech. Khan has an enormous number of fans who probably
also will hear the speech and they are therefore the secondary audience. The secondary audience
receives the speech indirectly and it could, therefore, affect them too.
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Ida la Cour (TD) Heebøll
English
Rungsted Gymnasium
15-04-20
2.C
Khan uses rhetorical appeals in his speech in a way to persuade and convince his audience.
“Embrace all that this life has in store for you, let your heart be as deep as the deepest ocean and
as wide as the farthest horizon.” (P. 8, L. 216-217). The dominant appeal in Khan’s speech is
Pathos. In this quote, he appeals to the audience’s feelings which inspires them to take action and
pursue his lessons in life. Khan also uses ethos in his speech to come across as credible and as
someone who is worth listening to. “You know, I’ve acted in over 50 full length movies, if I took
you through a journey of each title, we’d be sitting here forever and you’d all end up fast asleep”
(P. 7, L. 209-210). Khan uses his successful career as the base of knowledge for his lessons. In the
quote, he talks about how he has acted in many films which creates credibility through his
accomplishments. Another way Khan uses pathos is through his sources where he mentioned other
people who agree with him. “Ask The Artist Formerly Known As Prince!! And learn a thing or two
from him, if you don’t believe this insanely sexy Indian Superstar standing in front of you.” (P. 6, L.
176-177). Khan uses the very well know legend Prince as a way to support his own arguments in
his life lessons.
Khan’s speech touches upon the topic: life lessons. He does this by referring to his films which he
says have formulated his viewpoint on life. One of his lessons is about bravery and the fact that life
should never be planned beforehand. “Don’t let your fears become boxes that enclose you. Open
them out, feel them and turn them into the greatest courage you are capable of.” (P. 4, L. 116-117).
By this quote Khan advises the young people in the audience to not be afraid of the future and that
being brave sometimes is doing what you are most afraid of. In this quote, Khan also uses “boxes”
as a metaphor. This creates imagery which is easier to understand for the audience and makes his
speech more alluring.
Khan uses rhetorical devices in his speech such as rhetorical questions and repetition. “Love. Love
people, love the world around you, love animals and birds, and big cities and mountains, love
dreams, love life, love your work, your friends and your enemies even if you feel least like it. Most
importantly, my friends; love yourselves.” (P. 8, L. 213-216). In this quote, he uses repetition of
“love” many times. This makes his point stand out, make it clearer and more memorable.
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Ida la Cour (TD) Heebøll
English
Rungsted Gymnasium
15-04-20
2.C
Khan’s way of persuading and convincing his audience by using rhetorical devices and humor
makes his speech successful. His intention of giving his best advice of life gets fulfilled supported
by his many films and credibility. In this speech, Khan shows that his experiences and life lessons
are very useful and could become handy for many people.
FORDELING AF KOMMENTARER
ANTAL
TYPE
KOMMENTAR
8
Content
Good point :-).
KARAKTER OG SAMLET VURDERING
KARAKTER
SAMLET VURDERING
10
Well done, Ida, very nice essay. Good structure, analysis and command of English. Remember to
also focus on content next: what is the message he is sending, how should they live their lives? How
does this relate to form of the speech? The language he uses could have been dealt with more.
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