《演讲与知识II》PPT课件.ppt

Chapter 13 Speech and Knowledge II,Knowledge of History, Literature, The Audiences Mentality, Current Affairs Speech by Postman,13.1 Knowledge of History,Theres a coincidence today. On this day 390 years ago, the great explorer Sir Francis Drake died aboard ship off the coast of Panama. In his lifetime the great frontiers were the oceans, and an historian later said, He lived by the sea, died on it, and was buried in it. Well, today we can say of the Challenger crew: Their dedication was, like Drakes, complete.,13.2 Knowledge of Literature,I loved John Keats ode “To Autumn” for being an ark of the covenant between language and sensation; as an adolescent, I loved Gerard Manley Hopkins for the intensity of his exclamations which were also equations for a rapture and an ache I didnt fully know I knew until I read him; I loved Robert Frost for his farmers accuracy and his wily down-to-earthness; and Chaucer too for much the same reasons.,13.3 The Audiences Mentality,We said, Vote against the government till it gives women the vote. Candidates then began to complain that we took their audiences from them, but our reply was that the country was free, and if they wished to have a bigger house they should give better speeches.,13.4 Current Affairs,If Yao Ming could score easily, then scoring would not give him the thrill of accomplishment and the joy that it brings. If we further changed the rules by not allowing the slam dunk, so that Yao Mings great height is no longer an advantage, then there would be no game at all, because the fantastic part of basketball would have disappeared. In accepting the challenge, in surmounting the difficulties and in enduring the hardship, success acquires its value.,13.5 Speech by Postman,Thesis statement It is appropriate for you to be reminded of two groups of people representing two opposite values and traditions on your graduation day because, you must align yourself with the spirit of one or the spirit of the other.,Definition Group 1: Athenians 雅典人 lived 2,500 years ago, whose accomplishments embrace: development of a complete alphabet; invention of the idea of political democracy, philosophy, logic and rhetoric; invention of science i.e. atomic theory of matter; epic poems, plays; the Olympics, etc.,Group 2: the Visigoths 西哥特人 lived 1,700 years ago in present-day Germany: ruthless and brutal marauders 掠夺者; language lacked subtlety and depth; art crude and grotesque; destroying everything in Europe, overran the Roman Empire; like to burn a book, desecrate 亵渎 a building, smash a work of art; From the Visigoths, we have no poetry, no theater, no logic, no science, no human politics.,To be an Athenian is to cherish language; to take an interest in public affairs; to esteem the discipline, skill and taste that are required to produce enduring art.,A Visigoths language aspires to nothing higher than the clich; The Visigoths think of themselves as the center of the universe; Tradition exists for their own convenience; Good manners are an affectation and a burden; There is no measure of artistic excellence except popularity.,Arguments You must be on one side or the other. You must be an Athenian or a Visigoth; Its much harder to be an Athenian; You do not become an Athenian merely by attending school or accumulating academic degrees, etc.,Conclusion I can wish for you no higher compliment than that in the future it will be reported that among your gradu