A Harvard Graduate

One wouldn't expect the movie Legally Blonde to have such a profound message to its audience. In Elle Woods graduation speech to the class of 2004 at Harvard University she uses many components of effective speech to convey her point across to her fellow students. She uses eye contact, competent pronunciation, and a wide range of vocabulary. She manages to connect to the audience through these techniques, pulling on their emotions. In the speech Elle emphasizes the importance of passion, courage of conviction, and strong sense of self. It is with these attributes that one reaches success. At the end of her speech she portrays the most important message; to always have faith in yourself. This relates to public speaking because many people do not have faith or confidence in themselves to create an effective speech. Elle shows the poise and sophistication that is easily achievable if one puts themselves to the task.


Elle's Harvard Speech.