Rhetoric devices are things used by authors in order to give their piece more style and organization, they assist in conveying main points and aid the audiences reading experience. The commencement speech “This is Water” given by David Foster Wallace uses many literary techniques in order to get the 2005 graduates from Kenyon College ready for their upcoming debut into the working world. He challenges the students to change their perspective by giving someone elses point of view a chance. Although Wallace did not target the correct audience while delivering his speech, he uses incorrect punctuation to change the tone of his piece and used didactic stories to appeal to the audiences’ logos.

While Wallace was giving his speech he did not have the appropriate audience in mind, the students were his primary audience, however, he spent most of his time making points and jokes that only the elders in the crowd would understand. For example, he says, “One such part involves boredom, routine, and petty frustration. The parents and older folks here will know all too well what I’m talking about.” (119) Why would Wallace include this in his speech if his audience will not understand what he is talking about? This rhetoric device does not help the target audience because if they do not understand the jokes being made, how will it broaden their perspective? The main idea of his speech is a change in perspective and this does not support his argument, it is talking about the routines the graduates will face when they enter the work force. These routines are created when an individual is stuck in the same mindset, this example is not giving them any inspiration to think outside of the comfort zone.

The punctuation Wallace uses throughout his speech is compelling because he does not use correct punctuation in many of his paragraphs. This is seen in the 16th paragraph while Wallace is discussing the characteristics of society and the irony of how selfish people behave. Wallace only uses two sentences while disputing his argument, this is against any English rule taught, periods are a necessity while trying to separate ideas, however, it adds an irritated tone to his argument. Furthermore, he is talking about the same topic for a lengthy amount of time which needs the break a period would have provided, this makes it seem as if Wallace is annoyed by selfish individuals in society because he explains in depth the irritating qualities these people possess. The speaker uses a similar structure during his 13th paragraph while describing the “typical” American routine; he shares his typical day but uses a run on sentence, this sentence could be broken down into multiple statements. Wallace refusing to use proper punctuation creates a hurried tone which conveys a stressed and irritated feeling to what he does each day. He is blurting out his daily routine to the audience which supports the idea that he is so familiar with the “daily working day” that he no longer hesitates when explaining what happens. Wallace wants the graduates to break out of this routine and to think about the other individuals who are sharing the same experience at the same moment. In doing so, the students will have a broadened perspective and be less self-absorbed. 

One of the overarching themes in Wallace’s speech is the idea that the soon to be graduates should think about the world in a new perspective. He begins his lesson off with two fish swimming through water, “eventually one of them looks over at the other and goes ‘what the hell is water?’” (8) This is an example of one time Wallace uses a didactic story to help illustrate his main point to the audience. This example appeals to the audience’s logos and makes the speech overall more relatable. Fish live in water, swim in water, and breath water, water surrounds them and it is the only thing the fish know. The water in this instance is meant to represent perspective because an individual’s perspective is the only thing that person knows. Wallace wants to challenge the graduates to look beyond their own water. This technique benefitted his speech because it was a didactic story that broke down Wallace’s main point in an entertaining way. The students can compare their own perspective to the water and realize that there is more to life than just water, if an individual is always swimming through water they may be missing something on land. 

In conclusion, Wallace uses many rhetoric devices to keep his audience interested while he is speaking. These devices help keep the audience involved with the speaker but they also illustrate main ideas. Wallace’s devices may not always be directed to the correct audience because he uses specific references that the target audience can not relate to. However, the other devices he uses do contribute to the overall message described in the text. His incorrect use of punctuation creates a hurried tone in his piece which helps the audience grasp an irritated tone from his daily schedule, he wants the graduates to break out of this daily routine and put other individuals’ thoughts and concerns before their own. Furthermore, his use of didactic stories helps convey the main points he is trying to make, it is a creative way to keep the audience engaged in what the author is attempting to speak. Without rhetoric devices Wallace’s speech would not have been so successful because Wallace heavily relies on the use of these devices to connect with his audience. Overall, his message was received well and the Kenyon College graduates are ready to make their debut into the American working class.
