Petra Johnson

Professor, Marianne Arini

English 102

February 14, 2021

Motivational Speakers

I would like to introduce the two motivational speakers which I will be analyzing. The

first is Oprah Winfrey. Oprah was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi on January 29, 1954. In 1976

she moved to Baltimore, where she hosted People Are Talking. Subsequently, she was recruited

by a Chicago TV station to host her own morning show. Oprah is an actress, talk show host,

entrepreneurs and a philanthropist. She now has her own channel called OWN. Oprah has

inspired millions of people due to her ability to associate and connect to people on a deep

emotional level.

The second motivational speaker I will be talking about is Denzel Washington. Denzel

was born on December 28, 1954 in Mount Vernon, New York. He is an actor, director, and

producer. I believe that if you watch his speeches every day, it will change your life. Denzel

Washington’s motivational speech of 2019 targets younger audiences and focuses his talks on

how high school affects children in different ways.

Oprah’s inspirational video on YouTube, “The best speech ever by Oprah Winfrey.

Oprah Winfrey speaks to the importance of believing in oneself. Reaching a spiritual journey

through gratitude. Oprah uses her past experiences and hardships as inspiration in many of her

speeches to connect with those who have had similar experiences or who may just need hope.
Oprah’s tone of voice on this video is firm, but soothing. When she speaks, she sounds like she

believes what she is saying creating in the person listening to her speech a sense of trust.

Lasty, on her book blog, “Discovering Your Life’s Direction and Purpose,” Oprah shares

her belief that everyone on this planet has a purpose. According to the blog, if you search the

phrase what is the purpose of my life, then millions, even billions of answers will come up on the

search. However, Oprah’s response and belief to this question is deeper that we may think,

because the question is “really a profound reflection of an intimate prayer rising from the deepest

part of the heart. It is asking to be acknowledged. Initiating that search is a sign that the journey

toward an elevated life filled with meaning and character is ready to begin.” Oprah further

makes a comparison, a hyperbole, to our lives’ purpose with that of the seed in the bible. The

idea is that no matter how small you think you are as a mustard seed; you are always bigger than

you may think.

I also chose Denzel Washington. Denzel uses his experience and knowledge from high

school as a basis for what he talks about. Denzel Washington first studied journalism at Fordham

University but then discovered an interest in acting. He made his feature film debut in the

comedy A Carbon Copy (1981) and was cast on the hit TV medical drama St. Elsewhere (1982-

88). He went on to appear in several hit movies, including Philadelphia, Man on Fire, The Book

of Eli, American Gangster and Flight, and won Oscars for his roles in Glory and Training Day.

He received an Oscar nomination for his starring role in 2016's Fences, an adaptation of August

Wilson’s, Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning play, and for the 2017 film Roman J. Israel.

On his YouTube video, “Watch this every day and it will change your life,” he emphasizes

failure and risk as a natural part of life. “Dreams with our goals are just dreams.” Failure is
inevitable. He states, “if you hand out enough at a barber shop sooner or later you are going to

get a haircut.” This means that eventually there are going to be opportunities for you. Having a

belief that everyone has the potential to succeed, that is if you are willing to fail. According to

Washington, if you do not fail you are not even trying. Natural feelings from failing such as

angry, disappointment, upset will arise, but that is a part of the process. It is a part of exploring

your potential without regret. Further asking, “What will you do with what you have?”

Comparing and contrasting both speakers had points in their lives which created a point

of exigency because their experiences of believing in their potential and willingness to set

themselves for failure gave them greater lessons on success. Both speakers use their life

experience to connect with their audience. Although we could argue that Oprah talks to an older

audience while Denzel targets the younger audience, they both meet their goal at connecting

effectively with their audience. Both speakers are of African descent.

Citation
“Denzel Washington Biography.” The Biography.com Website, A&E Networks Television,
12 Aug. 2020, www.biography.com/actor/denzel-washington.

McDonough, Tom, and Pedro Borges. “Denzel Washington.” IMDb, IMDb.com,

www.imdb.com/name/nm0000243/bio.

“Oprah Winfrey.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 7 Jan. 2021,

www.biography.com/media-figure/oprah-winfrey.

“THE Greatest Speech Ever by Oprah Winfrey [YOU NEED TO WATCH THIS].” You
Tube, MULLIGAN BROTHERS INTERVIEWS, 15 June 2018,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkSgxuQrYwY.

12 Min. Team. “Https://Blog.12min.Com/the-Path-Made-Clear-Pdf-Summary/.” 12

Min/Blog, 12 Min/Blog, 12 June 2019, blog.12min.com/the-path-made-clear-pdf-
summary/.

WATCH THIS EVERYDAY AND CHANGE YOUR LIFE - Denzel Washington

Motivational Speech 2020, AlexKaltsMotivati, 3 June 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?
v=tbnzAVRZ9Xc.