Imagine that, over the weekend, you attended a coworker’s birthday party. During the birthday celebration, your coworker delivered a speech. Which one of the aspects of the speech most appealed to you?

• Introduction and conclusion.
• Use of direct quotes.

Provide a thorough explanation of your choice. The following is your coworker’s speech.

“I would like to first start by thanking my family, friends, and colleagues who have honored me with their presence today. Over the years, I have learned that there is no specific formula for long and prosperous life. However, I will share a few of the principles I live by and have found valuable.

• “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” —Winston S. Churchill (1)
• “To be gritty is to keep putting one foot in front of the other. To be gritty is to hold fast to an interesting and purposeful goal. To be gritty is to invest, day after week after year, in challenging practice. To be gritty is to fall down seven times, and rise eight.” —Angela Lee Duckworth (2)
• “Always be nice to the people you meet on your way up in life as you may meet them again on the way down.” —Jimmy Durante (3)
• “When you come to a fork in the road, take it!” —Yogi Berra (4)

“I hope these words of wisdom help you create lives filled with peace, love, and joy. Thank you all for coming to celebrate my special day, and I look forward to our next celebration!”

Part 2: Respond to a Peer

Read a post by at least one of your peers and respond, making sure to extend the conversation by asking questions, offering rich ideas, or sharing personal connections.

Sources

1. Attributed to Winston Churchill.
2. Angela Lee Duckworth. 2016. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. p. 275. Collins.
3. Attributed to Jimmy Durante and Wilson Mizner.
4. Yogi Berra. 2001. When You Come to a Fork in the Road, Take It! p. 2. Hyperion.