Humor In 1960

The year 1960 is significant in American history for a variety of reasons. It was the year in which John F. Kennedy was elected as president, a national campaign for Civil Rights lit on fire the emotions of many, and the year that the United States flag was completed upon the addition of the fiftieth star. In the center of the buzz of this revolutionary year was American journalists, the heart and soul of communication. Journalists in this decade were faced with the extraordinary challenge of informing citizens of current events, all of the while relying on reliable sources to avoid falsities and over exaggeration, yet still serving the most riveting information. To ensure the success of journalists, American journalist and politician, Clare

In any discussion that involves criticism or corrections of any kind, the person giving these critiques wants to be received well so that their listeners will apply their advice. Often times, in sensitive situations, speakers need to rely on other communication skills such as humor as well as showing their own weaknesses to prove to their listeners that their advice is important and viable. Luce uses an allusion to Billy Grahams and Bishop Sheens in which she credits them with the “delicate art of giving an audience hell,” (line 15-17). In a professional setting, it is extremely unpopular to hear a keynote speaker deliver their message so casually. By doing this, Luce eliminates all possibilities of superiority and makes the speech seem intimate. This makes the audience feel more comfortable, and allows them to see that Luce may have some nerves of her own. To show her own insecurity and that she is nervous to address the audience she jokingly says that she “hopes” that there is no audience that is “more forgiving” of a presenter who has a difficult time of achieving their goal (line 44-46). By showing her personal emotions and her nerves for delivering her address, the audience realizes that she is a human too. Luce is successful in sharing her message as she eliminates all ideas of superiority by becoming personal and intimate with the

When receiving criticism it is a confidence booster to hear that there are things that you have done right, which makes you more open to the idea of improvements. Luce strategically uses praises to lift the audience up after preparing them for their criticism, making them more willing to listen. The last two paragraphs of her introduction holds various praises in which Luce recognizes the greatness and success of the American Press. To introduce her main point of praise, Luce prepares the audience by pleading with them to “accept some of the good with the bad,” (line 56). This introduces her praise, by letting them know that not everything they do is bad, that there is some good as well. This lifts up the spirits of the journalists, enabling them to feel good about themselves when Luce ends her introduction by proudly announcing that the United States daily press is “far and away the best press in the world,” (line 59-60). By wrapping up her introduction with such a strong praise, the audience will listen to the actual speech with a more open mind about how her advice can improve their work and make their press releases more truthfully written, attracting more consumers and avoiding criticism and backlash from other media