D269 Task 1 Template

D269 Task 1 Template

Student Name

Western Governors University

D269 Composition: Writing with a Strategy

Prof. Name:

Date

D269 Task 1 Template

Text for Analysis

Steve Jobs: “You’ve got to find what you love” (2005 Stanford Commencement Speech)

Summary

Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford commencement address is one of the most influential graduation speeches in modern history. In this speech, Jobs narrates three pivotal stories from his own life that shaped his philosophy: dropping out of college, being dismissed from Apple, and confronting mortality after a cancer diagnosis.

In the first story, Jobs explains how leaving college allowed him to explore courses that truly interested him—such as calligraphy—which later influenced the elegant design of the Macintosh computer. The second story recounts his firing from Apple, the very company he founded, and how this failure led to the creation of NeXT and Pixar—two ventures that eventually contributed to Apple’s resurgence. The third story reflects on his experience facing a life-threatening illness, which deepened his understanding of mortality and purpose.

Jobs’ central message emphasizes the importance of doing what you love, trusting your intuition, and living authentically. He urges graduates not to conform to societal expectations or be limited by fear but to pursue work and life with passion and self-belief.

Purpose

The purpose of Steve Jobs’ speech is to inspire graduates to follow their passions and remain authentic, even in the face of uncertainty or failure. Through his personal stories, Jobs conveys that genuine success and fulfillment stem from aligning one’s career and life choices with personal values and inner drive.

He encourages the audience to embrace mistakes as valuable learning experiences and to approach life with courage and curiosity. By intertwining storytelling and life lessons, Jobs delivers a motivational message about perseverance, creativity, and self-discovery—core principles for both professional and personal growth.

Context

When Steve Jobs delivered this speech in June 2005, the world was witnessing a significant shift in technology and culture. Apple had recently re-emerged as a leader in innovation with products like the iPod and the upcoming iPhone revolutionizing the tech industry. At this moment, society was beginning to value creativity, entrepreneurship, and individuality more than traditional corporate conformity.

The cultural climate of the early 2000s encouraged people to redefine success—not merely as financial achievement, but as meaningful work that aligns with one’s purpose. Jobs’ message resonated deeply within this context, especially among young adults navigating a rapidly changing world driven by digital transformation. His words captured the essence of an era where innovation met introspection.

Audience

The primary audience for Jobs’ Stanford address was the 2005 graduating class, along with their families and university faculty. However, the universality of his message extended far beyond the university grounds.

Jobs spoke directly to young professionals and aspiring innovators, offering wisdom relevant to anyone facing uncertainty or major life transitions. His advice appealed to individuals across different age groups and professions—especially those seeking inspiration to overcome setbacks and pursue their dreams.

The table below summarizes the intended and extended audiences of the speech:

Appeals

Steve Jobs employs a combination of rhetorical appeals—ethos, pathos, and logos—to effectively engage and persuade his audience. Each appeal reinforces the authenticity and impact of his message.

Ethos (Credibility)

Jobs establishes credibility through personal storytelling and professional experience. He candidly shares his failures—such as being dismissed from Apple—to demonstrate humility and authenticity. By acknowledging his setbacks and how they led to future triumphs, Jobs reinforces his credibility as someone who has lived through the lessons he imparts. His life serves as tangible evidence that passion and perseverance can lead to extraordinary success.

Pathos (Emotion)

Emotional appeal is a powerful element throughout Jobs’ speech. When he discusses facing death after a cancer diagnosis, he evokes empathy and reflection from his audience. His reminder that “death is life’s change agent” motivates listeners to live meaningfully and fearlessly. Additionally, his stories of creativity and love for innovation stir feelings of hope and inspiration among graduates embarking on new journeys.

Logos (Logic)

Jobs uses logical reasoning to illustrate that failure often serves as a stepping stone to innovation. For example, his narrative about attending a calligraphy class demonstrates how seemingly unrelated experiences can yield valuable skills in unexpected ways. By showing the logical connections between his actions and outcomes—such as how creativity enhanced Apple’s success—Jobs appeals to the audience’s rational understanding of cause and effect.

The table below summarizes the rhetorical appeals used in Jobs’ speech:

Sources

• Jobs, S. (2005, June 12). You’ve got to find what you love, Jobs says. Stanford Report. https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2005/06/youve-got-find-love-jobs-says

D269 Task 1 Template

• Isaacson, W. (2011). Steve Jobs. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.

• Gallo, C. (2010). The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to Be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

• Stanford University. (2005). Commencement address by Steve Jobs. Retrieved from https://news.stanford.edu