Denzel Washington Fall Forward Speech

Essay > Denzel Washington Fall Forward Speech

Kean University ENG 1030 Denzel Washington Fall Forward Speech Denzel Washington delivered a Commencement speech to graduates from the state university of Pennsylvania on May 16th, 2011. Denzel Washington is an American actor, director, and producer, Washington has received much critical acclaim for his film work since the 1980s, including ...[Show More]

Kean University
ENG 1030
Denzel Washington Fall Forward Speech

Denzel Washington delivered a Commencement speech to graduates from the state university of

Pennsylvania on May 16th, 2011. Denzel Washington is an American actor, director, and

producer, Washington has received much critical acclaim for his film work since the 1980s,

including his portrayals of real-life figures such as South African anti-apartheid activist Steve

Biko in Cry Freedom (1987), Muslim minister and human rights activist Malcolm X (1992). This

Speech is going to be considered as one of the most memorable speeches In Penn university. On

this day Denzel is speaking in front of a wide variety of college graduates sharing from his own

experience on what it take to have success in life. Not only is he sharing his experience using

ethos and pathos elements but he is also talking in a very personified way meaning he’s making

himself clear on what he is saying and having fun describing his experience at the same time.

Denzel can be known for many things like acting and directing but when it comes to public

speaking in front of a large crowd it may not be his comfort zone as he said “I’m not used to

speaking at a graduation of this magnitude it is a little overwhelming It’s out of my comfort

zone” (Denzel 1). He took the time to go to Penn and deliver a speech because he wanted to take

a risk that’s what he wants all the college graduates to reflect on he say “I had to come, even

though I was afraid I might make a fool of myself In fact if you really want to know the truth I

had to come exactly because I might make a fool of myself What am I talking about Well, here it

is, I’ve found that nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks, nothing”(Denzel 1).