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Running head: NEO ARISTOTELIAN CRITICISM JIM VALVANO 1

Communication Strategies

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Institutional Affiliation

NEO ARISTOTELIAN CRITICISM JIM VALVANO 2

INTRODUCTION

Neo-Aristotelianism is one of the most used rhetorical methods of criticism that has been

used for a long time in history. Since its first establishment in 1925, with the contribution of

Herbert A Wichelns, Aristotle, and William Norwood Brigance among other scientists, the

method still remains the most credible in analyzing speeches (Novotný & Novák, 2014). Neo-

Aristotelian is the best method of analyzing ESPY speech by Jimmy Valvano. The above

mentioned is so because it looks at the speech from the perspective of the writer, the context, the

intended audience, and the impact the speech had on the audience. With the five mentioned

perspectives, the approach turns the speech in and out giving the reader a good understanding

(Foss, 2017). This paper examines how Jimmy Valvano used ethos, logos, and pathos in neo-

Aristotelian to communicate effectively to his audience.

THE ARTIFACT

Jimmy Valvano engaged in different activities in his life. He was a college basketball

player, at some point, he was also a coach and a broadcaster. Jim started his coaching duties

immediately after completing his college studies in 1967. Unfortunately, in June of 1992, Jimmy

Valvano was diagnosed with terminal cancer and the doctors estimated that he was only lucky to

live for about one year. After his diagnosis, Jimmy received an inaugural Arthur Ashe Courage

and Humanitarian award on March 4, in 1993. The award ESPY was the first one in history and

was hosted by ESPN. The award was for the purpose of honoring high achievers in athletics. The

award could only be given to individuals who used their fame and talent to fight for human

rights.

NEO ARISTOTELIAN CRITICISM JIM VALVANO 3

Jimmy Valvano was then to give a speech after receiving the award. His speech that night

stood out from many speeches that have been made on such occasions. He spoke from his heart,

though he was dying, that was never sensed in his speech. His words were fun, encouraging,

empathetic and poetic in nature. He captured people’s attention, he made them love and some

shed tears in the process. Some of the quotations that stood out in his speech included; ‘time is

precious, and every minute of the day is precious’. ‘Three things we all should do every day,

laugh, think and let your emotions move you to tears’. ‘Laugh, think and let your emotions move

you to tears for seven days a week and your life will be a fulfilled one'. ‘Cancer can take away all

my physical abilities, but it cannot touch my mind neither can it touch my heart nor touch my

soul. And those three things are going to carry on forever.’ Jimmy then finished his speech by

announcing that he had started a foundation for cancer research with an encouraging motto

‘don’t give up, don’t ever give up’. Jimmy also urged people to always look back at the journey

they have made in life, examine the success and the drawbacks because the past is important in

handling the present and facing the future.

ARTIFACT ANALYSIS

Jimmy used pathos in his speech; Aristotle discusses pathos as a mode where speakers

appeal to the emotions of their audience (Foss, 2017). Many speakers use this approach to appeal

to the pity of their listeners so that they can acquire personal benefits, Valvano used pathos in

educating the audience. Jimmy was very ill with limited time to live which was enough to move

his audience to emotions. His courage during this time drove many people to tears because

despite being in his last days he was able to look at life brightly. He took every day seriously and

appreciated each moment that God granted him. Jimmy also gave people reasons to live fully and

also gave the guidelines of how to go about daily lives. According to him, the three most

NEO ARISTOTELIAN CRITICISM JIM VALVANO 4

important things humans should do are laugh every day, take time to reflect and think and lastly,

one should let their emotions move them to tears. Jimmy calls such a day as mentioned earlier as

a fulfilling one with no regrets.

Pathos was also evident in jimmy’s speech when he talked of his sickness, he did not

want the audience to pity him, and instead, he showed how strong he was in dealing with the

situation. According to him, cancer can only harm him physically but it cannot touch his mind,

soul, and heart. Jimmy also showed how his family has been there for him through his hard

times and which continues to give him the strength to face each day. The motto of the foundation

was also an evident way of appealing to emotions, the motto tells the audience not to give up

despite anything they are going through.

Secondly, Jimmy used ethos in his speech to reach to the audience. Ethos is the use of

experience and credibility in a certain field to give valid and factual information while putting

ethics into consideration (Foss, 2017). Jimmy was given the award because of his efforts and in

athletics. This award played a big role in informing the audience about the importance of

working hard. Jimmy had experienced cancer and knew how costly it is for low-income earners

to afford the treatment. He needed to leave a legacy that will live on after his death; his

foundation needed money but did not sound like a beggar. He taught the importance of life, the

way of a better living and the value of each other. Through his moving speech, people did not

need to be coerced into giving towards the foundation. Through his speech, his audience

understood that anybody can be affected by any cancer either directly or indirectly. Jimmy was

successful, had fame and lived a good life with his family but still got affected with cancer.

Lastly, logos is also evident in Jimmy V's speech, according to Aristotle logos means an

appeal to logic. Jimmy tells his audience in his speech that the foundation needs money for

NEO ARISTOTELIAN CRITICISM JIM VALVANO 5

research; he also states the fact that the money might not be helpful to him but it would be

helpful to the future generation. Jimmy gives cancer statistics stating that cancer has been

underestimated yet one in every four people were afflicted with the disease. He also revealed that

by the end of the year he was giving his speech; five hundred thousand people were going to die

from cancer. With the statistics, the audience is able to understand that cancer is not just a theory

or a myth but a fact, a monster that can consume anybody despite who they are in the society.

Understanding the threat cancer poses to the society, the audience is more willing than ever to

unite towards eradicating the disease and creating the needed awareness in the society. Jimmy

also appealed to logic by making people understand that cancer is not a disease of a certain class

of people but an illness that can attack anybody despite their financial or social status in the

society.

IMPLICATIONS OF THE ARTIFACT

Creating cancer awareness- As per the artifact and its analysis, it is evident that the

speech came at the right time when the world needed it the most. First, in the 1990s the

awareness about cancer was not well raised in societies. Many people still believed that cancer

was a disease of some people. Many people also kept their cancerous status a secret due to the

stigma that was still attached to the disease. Jimmy came out and made it clear that cancer is not

selective, with awareness and early diagnosis, one can still be cured. At the last stage where

medication cannot work, Jimmy made it clear that one can still make use of their last days by

doing the most beneficial things in the society. Valvano was addressing people when diagnosed

with a terminal illness, spent their last days crying, cursing and pitying themselves and their

families. Jimmy instead spend his time laughing, reflecting on life and letting his emotion move

NEO ARISTOTELIAN CRITICISM JIM VALVANO 6

him to tears. He also looked at giving back to the society by founding a cancer research Centre to

impact on the society even after his departure.

Encouraging the society- Jimmy’s speech has lived on since 1993 because of the impact

it created in the hearts of people. The speech was not only encouraging to the people affected by

cancer but to all who were going through difficult times in their lives. Jimmy made the motto of

the foundation unforgettable one. The main message in the motto told every person not ever to

give up. The motto is still a big encouragement many years after the speech. Making fun of his

words even at his state of health also encouraged many people. People understood that one can

live their lives to the fullest despite their present conditions.

Giving life a purpose- one of the main questions in his speech asked the audience how

one moves from their current state. He gave the answer to the question by encouraging the

people to have dreams and goals in life. According to him, life goals lent to his achievements in

life. He had written his goals and dreams down as teenage and by the time he was 36 he had

achieved everything on his list. Having life goals keep people moving even when things are

hard. Many people have dreams but only the strong ones make it through to achievement.

Appreciating life- Jimmy taught the audience that his family gave him the courage he

needed to face and handle the illness. He showed how much he appreciated the fact that his

family was there to support him. Jimmy also taught people to appreciate every day they are alive.

Through appreciation one is able to live a purposeful life. Jimmy appreciated the few days the

doctor said he had to live and used them in impacting the lives of others. Jimmy also appreciated

his career and did his best to emerge victorious which acted as motivation to young people in

sports.

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Building a legacy- Valvano was the first person to ever be given EPSY award. Receiving

the award made a great impact in the lives of many people. ESPN has since then given the

awards specifically to champions going through challenging life situations. Though Jimmy was

dying, he decided to start a foundation that was to help people even after his departure. He knew

that the cancer was going to take his life but he wanted his legacy to live on which he did. His

noble acts touched the hearts of many. Though people might not speak out many were

encouraged by his speech to go extra miles in life.

NEO ARISTOTELIAN CRITICISM JIM VALVANO 8

References

Foss, S. K. (2017). Rhetorical criticism: Exploration and practice. Waveland Press.

Novotný, D. D., & Novák, L. (Eds.). (2014). Neo-Aristotelian perspectives in metaphysics.

Routledge.

Urbanski, S. (2016). A neo-Aristotelian critique of" Jimmy's World": New ideas in a long-

debated journalism fabrication. American Communication Journal, 18(1).

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