I’ve seen a handful of speeches, but “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch is the most powerful speech I have seen. Randy Pausch’s motivational speech was presented literally as he is dying of pancreatic cancer. He shares his view on childhood dreams and the importance they have. He guides us through his life story and experiences achieving his dreams. We later find out that the whole speech was initially written for his three children that he will not be able to see grow up.

For the most part his speech can be considered a motivational speech that allows us to believe in our dreams and ourselves. His nature of speaking is that of a professor giving his students a lecture. He uses a slideshow to help express his ideas through images that relate to his speech. The speaker shares some of his experiences though life and uses them as life lessons; many of which relate to the audience and inspire them. He makes his speech extremely personal which allows the audience to become attached. He uses words such as “you” “we” and “us” it turns it into an engaging conversation.His speech not only reaches the emotions of the audience but also their aspirations and dreams causing every single person to give their undivided attention.

The image above illustrates his connection with the audience. He not only looks calm but also focused on his audience. His audience returns the favor, and is concentrated. As all eyes are on him he expresses his view of the importance of childlike wonder. Randy Pausch’s motivational lecture left a major impact on the audience; I also found myself seeing life through a different spectrum after his moving speech.