Adversity 6-part oration
“Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.” --Horace
Exordium: hook
Narration: background
Thesis: your position
Confirmation:
Example 1: Frederick Douglass
Example 2: Jane Austen
Example 3: Tim Tebow
Concession or Refutation: Tiger Woods & celebrities
Conclusion:
Exordium: No one wakes up in the morning and says, “I hope I face adversity today in the pursuit of my dreams.” Narration: Nevertheless, adversity is an immutable aspect of life. Some incredible people have accepted and channeled the power of adversity to help them achieve their lifelong dreams. Thesis: Although adversity has not elicited hidden talents in the case of many celebrities and their various scandals, adversity does, quite often, lead a person to reveal strength, talent, and poise that the general public would otherwise not have witnessed. In the lives of Frederick Douglass, Jane Austen, and Tim Tebow, one can see the validity of Horace’s assertion that adversity elicits hidden talents and/or character.
Confirmation: Claim: First, consider the adversity Frederick Douglass faced as he was born into slavery in Maryland. Evidence: Douglass never knew his birthday, he barely knew his mother, and he was separated from his family from an early age. He worked—under the harsh rule of Mr. Covey and many other fiendish, barbaric men—on plantations. He watched as his aunt was tied, hanged by the wrists, and severely whipped for something as innocent as going on a date with a fellow slave. Douglass felt a slight reprieve from oppression as he was moved to the home of a seemingly kind mistress, but before long, Mr. Hugh Auld forbade Mrs. Auld from teaching Douglass to read any longer. Eventually, Douglass learned to read and to write; he read of the abolitionist movement and escaped to the North after writing fake papers that explained he was a free African American. After a short period of living in freedom in the North, William Lloyd Garrison and other abolitionists persuaded Douglass—although he was hesitant at first—to begin speaking at anti-slavery conventions and to write his autobiography. Commentary: Anyone who has read Douglass’s autobiography can attest to its beautiful language and description. This speaking and writing talent, however, might have “lain dormant” had Douglass not faced adversity and desired to free his brethren from their slavery. Furthermore, Douglass developed an unimpeachable character that has become a model for many today.
Similarly, Jane Austen faced the difficulties of Regency England, a time when women were not permitted to work—except as governesses—and publishers respected few women writers. She experienced a society that gave women two choices—marry or let a relative take responsibility for you. Jane Austen defied the constraints of society and chose not to marry—since she was never in a position to marry for love rather than money. Instead, her quiet life as the daughter of a rector enabled her to write some of the most beloved British novels of all time: Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility. In her letters to her sister, Austen explains that she knows she would not have spent the time on these masterpieces if she had faced the responsibilities of a wife or mother. So, although the adversity she faced kept her from finding true love herself, her wit and skill with language is immortalized through her literary works. Austen displayed impeccable character throughout her life, as she mentored her niece Fanny and wrote clean love stories for subsequent generations to enjoy.
Finally, Tim Tebow “faced the giants” of various coaches and fans who claimed he was too stout and too slow to become an NFL quarterback. In Through My Eyes, his recent autobiography, Tebow catalogs his experiences from high school to the NFL. Especially in high school, his coaches told him he would never play quarterback. He refused to listen to their criticisms; he even transferred to a local high school that would give him the chance to fulfill his dream. Despite his success at the University of Florida, many critics denounced Tebow’s chances of playing quarterback in the NFL. Although Tebow was third on the depth chart at the beginning of the 2011-2012 NFL season, he became the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos—and led them to a huge playoff victory. Now, he faces more adversity as he has been traded to the New York Jets and plays behind Mark Sanchez. Still, Tebow experiences have developed his character. Love him or hate him, no one has been able to discredit the integrity of this intriguing young man. He has faced the reporters’ questions on everything from his Bible verses on his eye black to touchy, personal questions, yet he has continued to face these challenges with a smile.
Refutation:Nevertheless, sometimes celebrities face trials that do not bring out character or hidden talents. Consider the tumultuous Tiger Woods scandal or Lindsay Lohan’s continual battle with the law. Each of these situations seems to have hurt their performances. Tiger Woods has won very few golf tournaments since his battle with his wife and the media; he didn’t win a match in the recent Ryder Cup competition. Lindsay Lohan’s character doesn’t seem to be improving. Nonetheless, these two celebrities’ reputation may improve in the future.
Conclusion: Undoubtedly, many times adversity encourages humans to dig deeper into their motivations and desire and to battle adversity to obtain their goals. High school athletes might not win regional and state championships if they hadn’t first learned from their regular season defeats. Students might have to drop or re-take a course before they earn their degrees. The successful people face adversity with courage and effort that develops their integrity and character more fully—such as in the lives of Douglass, Austen, and Tebow.
Body Paragraph:
Claim: your assertion
FD experienced adversity.
Evidence: Proof: Summarized the autobiography
Commentary: Connect it to hidden talents/character