Wage Darminto , 2201412129 (2019) RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF OPRAH WINFREY’S COMMENCEMENT SPEECH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IN 2018. Under Graduates thesis, UNNES.

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Abstract

The idea of persuasion or rhetoric that is implemented in the communication with specific context can be used as a tool to persuade, motivate or inspire other people. Therefore, the study conducted with the focus of rhetoric in the public speech context. A rhetorical analysis is about an analysis of the way somebody persuades other with rhetorical strategies in the form of rhetorical proofs. This study aimed to identify the rhetorical proofs and to describe the speech delivery strategies used by the speaker that helps to create effective public speech. Oprah Gail Winfrey, a well-known American media executive, talk show host, and philanthropist, delivered a commencement speech on the graduation day at the University of Southern California in 2018. The commencement speech video of her and the transcription of the speech were used as the data to be analyzed in the current study. Qualitative approach and content analysis were used as the methods of the study. According to the first finding related to rhetorical proofs explained that Oprah Winfrey used all types of rhetorical proofs during her speech. She used ethos for 63.5%, pathos for 34%, and logos for 2.5%. The second finding found out that Oprah Winfrey managed to use several speech delivery strategies during her speech. She used storytelling to explain several ideas of her speech, body language, tone of voice, and pause. Based on the above findings, it can be concluded that ethos is the most dominant proof used by the speaker in her speech. She managed to establish her credibility through some experiences and values that she delivered to the audience. In delivering the speech, Oprah Winfrey used 24% of the speech for storytelling, managed the posture and body movement well, used an effective tone of voice and managed proper pauses.

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