http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6klClwZVHfE

Valerie Auciello

Ross Capicchioni’s story is one of inspiration and admiration. At the age of just 17, he was gunned down in cold blood. The shooter was a boy two years younger than Ross; the act of violence was part of a gang initiation. Ross was left to die, struggling to find the power to keep conscious and not submit to the pain. Eventually, he was taken back to a hospital where he was pronounced dead on the scene. However, one doctor decided to keep fighting, the same decision Ross made when he initially was shot. Don’t give up. Days later, he awoke and was able to come home.

As compelling as Ross’s story is, the way in which he tells it is what really draws the audience in. As Ross narrates his story from the viewpoint of a 17 year old, he speaks as if he is conversing rather than lecturing. He may not be delivering a traditional speech, but the impact is still as powerful. Ross gains credibility from the audience by the way in which he speaks. He has a sincere and genuine tone throughout this story. Additionally, he makes use of inflection in voice and pauses to emphasize certain focal points. I believe that in this class, we should strive to mimic the fluidity of speech and ways in which Ross narrates his story. As a member of the audience, I felt invested in what he was saying and wanted to continue listening. Our peers are roughly the same age as Ross, so we should   try to use his same techniques in our speeches in order to keep our audience equally as intrigued in what we are arguing.

In the conclusion of Ross’s story, he remarks, “this is my world.” He made the decision not to let the rest of his life be determined by his prior misfortune. This is our world. How will you influence it?