Question 2: Compare and Contrast. Explain how these 2 speeches are different. Explain how they are similar.

In both “This is Water” and “Morison Noble Lecture” the authors are expressing their opinion of something in which they really believe to be true. In these speeches the authors acknowledge their belief that is our choice, whether it is how we feel or the way we speak. Both of these speeches begin with a story to draw the reader in, although confusing at first, the story will later tie into the main point of the speech. In both these speeches the authors agree (although in different ways) that the overall way of how one reacts to life depends on the person and the manner in which the person conducts themselves.

In “This is water” the main point the author was trying to convey was how we must overcome our “default setting” in order to achieve happiness. We are able to choose how we view things, and therefore how we feel about what life may throw at us. This speech was intended toward a younger audience and can be deemed less informal than “Morison Noble Lecture”.

In “Morison Noble Lecture” the author expresses her view of language and how it is one of the most important things in the world today. Toni Morison would like for language to gain its importance back and have as big an influence as it has the potential to be instead of “dying out”. Toni Morison’s speech was intended toward an audience of intellectual people who were listening by choice, therefore her speech was more formal and had a higher level of vocabulary.