Gaiman Commencement Speech

Neil Gaiman’s Commencement speech’s main point that came across was for the graduates to simply make good art and enjoy themselves in the process. One should make art for themselves, not for money. The agent of this speech was Neil Gaiman, an accomplished artist, which is fitting for the scene of the 2012 Graduation of the University of the Arts. The purpose of the speech was to inspire the graduates. He challenged them to follow their passion, whatever path that may be and to expect both failures and successes. Overall he wanted to encourage them to follow their dreams and to make mistakes along the way to learn and grow. The agency used was humor as well as personal experience. He made himself relatable by telling stories about his personal failures and his own paths. The act was addressing this graduation class through a speech inspired by his creative experiences.
    One ratio I found important was that between the purpose and the scene. Commencement speeches are always meant to inspire that class to do something great and that is exactly what he did. He encouraged these graduates to go out and make great art. Another important ratio is the agent and the agency. Gaiman is a respected and influential writer, so through the agency of hearing his personal stories, he can inspire others. He used humor and his own creativity to establish himself as a credible speaker and entertain the graduates.