Usage Examples of Anecdotes in Speeches and Essays

An anecdote is a short scene or story taken from personal experience. Anecdotes can be useful for setting the stage for a speech or personal essay. An anecdote often relays a story that can be used as a theme or lesson. Pronunciation:  AN -  eck  -  doh​t​Also Known As: incident, story, narrative, account, episode. Examples of Usage The story below could be used as an introduction to a speech or short story about personal safety: After the long Ohio winter, I was so happy to see the first signs of spring that I ran outside as soon as I saw our first flower blooming. I plucked the dewy, white blossom and tucked it into my hair band and went about my day with joy in my heart. Unfortunately, I didnt notice that my big white flower had been host to a dozen or so tiny bugs, that apparently enjoyed a new home in the warmth and security of my hair. I was soon itching and twitching like a scrappy dog. Next time I stop to smell the flowers, Ill make sure Ill do it with my eyes wide open. The anecdote provides a lead-in to the overall message of your speech or essay. For example, the next sentence after the anecdote could be: Have you ever delved head-first into a situation and run straight into trouble? Using Anecdotes to Set the Stage See how this anecdote can provide a moral or backdrop for a speech or essay about staying alert? You can use many small events in your own life as anecdotes to set the stage for a greater message. Another time when anecdotes are often used is during a seminar. For example, a seminar covering race car vehicle suspension may begin with a story about how the driver or engineer became aware of a strange problem with a car. Although the subject of the seminar may be highly technical, the introduction story — or anecdote — may be simple or even humorous. School teachers and college professors will often use anecdotes as a way of easing students into a complex issue. It could be argued that using anecdotes this way is a roundabout way of introducing a subject, but people use examples in everyday speech to make a subject more easy to understand and to clarify the more complex part of a narrative to follow.

Our Messed Up Juvenile Law System - 1045 Words

Nowadays, the topic of the Juvenile law system is a very controversial as well as difficult discussion to have. For every court case, trial, and scenario, there are many different circumstances that may affect the outcome. Due to the seriousness of their crimes or even their past offenses, juvenile criminals can sometimes be tried as adults. Personally, in the beginning of this assignment, I could see both sides of the argument. There are many reasons why children under the age of 18 should be tried as children, however, there are more proficient reasons as to why we should do away with juvenile court. Many of my peers do not think this, however, they are keen on keeping children tried as children. I truly cannot fathom the â€Å"good† that†¦show more content†¦Her boyfriend took his eyes off of his road for a second and they are hit by an oncoming car. Deena ends up with permanent paralysis and her boyfriend is killed. The person who smashed into Deena’s car w as another high schooler headed to the prom. The one difference is that the driver of that car was drinking while driving. The driver of this car was 17 years old. Does that really make a difference? Absolutely not. No matter what age, if a crime is committed, a consequence need to be put into action. Let’s flip the story though. Instead of a 17 year old driving drinking, let’s make it a 30 year old. Now, when this case hits the news, everyone will be so sorrowful towards the victims and want to punish the 30 year old, but when the 17 year old faces the consequences, it looks like the system is messed up, right? Wrong. Absolutely, utterly wrong. There is nothing wrong with the system, just the imbeciles that enter it. The public believes that America has given up on its juvenile delinquents. Well sorry to break it to you, but this accusation is false. The only people who have given up are the delinquents. If they do not want rehabilitation, how can we ever expect them to accept it when it is forced upon them? I do not understand the logic of people who want to rehabilitate children, but give no chance to an adult. The truth of the matter is the juvenile delinquents of today like the attention that they get when they are questioned by police. They think it is cool,Show MoreRelatedOverview of Social Networking1393 Words   |  6 PagesModern Technology has evolved, and impacted our society in a negative way. There are multiple reasons as to why it affects our community, such as lower grades, job stability, cyberbullying, sexting, and it can harm college admission. I have known a family friend that has experienced social networking in a horrible way, which has messed with his dreams and life goals. Social networking has a negative influence on our lives, causing many various problems in our community. Social networks are internetRead MoreEffects Of Oppression On African American Teenagers2388 Words   |  10 Pagesdiscrimination of African-Americans, and oppression resulting from it, the government, justice system, educational system, and society has made it clear that African-American teenagers obtaining a thorough and effective education is the least of their concerns. It is almost as though African-American teenagers are purposely being set up to fail. As stated in â€Å"The Oppression of Black People, The Crimes of This System and the Revolution we need†, â€Å"Today the schools are more segregated than they have beenRead MoreRelationship Between Prison And Prison3237 Words   |  13 Pagesinmates within a certain prison (Prisons: 2015). Research shows that many prison subcultures in the United States are remarkably comparable to each other. It is believed that the subculture developed in order for inmates to cope with being locked up for years at a time. When an inmate enters a new prison or even their first prison it is not the guards that they have to worry about, it is the other inmates. This is where the word â€Å"prisonization† comes in meaning that the inmate will learn theRead MoreCxc Mutipe Choice Questions13016 Words   |  53 PagesJamaica, Guyana and Belize d) Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica and St. Lucia. Carifta came into being on: a) May 1, 1968 b) July 1, 1968 c) August 1, 1968 d) May 1, 1971. After the inception of Carifta, three functional institution were set up except: a) The Commonwealth Caribbean Regional Secretariat b) The Caribbean Development Bank c) The more Developed Countries d) The Caribbean Examination Council The Caribbean community has the following areas of activity except : a) Economic integrationRead MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 PagesRiver, New Jersey 07458. All rights reserved. Manufactured in the United States of America. This publication is protected by Copyright, and permission should be obtained from the publisher prior to any prohibited reproduction, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or likewise. To obtain permission(s) to use material from this work, please submit a written request to Pearson Education, Inc., Permissions Department

A Reflection On My Personal Experience - 1390 Words

ISS Reflection Paper I would never aspire to be king because it is much more interesting to be the king-maker. This is my informed judgment based on the sufficiency of my experience and the intrinsic value I derive from analytical and creative problem solving processes. I opine Strategic Advisor and Communicator are synonymous with my definition of â€Å"king-maker,† both roles I have experience and some success with. Nevertheless, I am fortunate to have many years of experience to reflect on and guide this self-assessment. Accordingly, I begin this self-assessment by reflecting on a seemingly random event that shaped my attitudes, values, and ethics, and led to important changes in my personal life. Once armed with these insights, I will†¦show more content†¦He emphasized these eight competencies were â€Å"outcomes† of our war college learning experience combined with our attitudes, values, and ethics. I interpreted this to mean that it is unreasonable to expect that all eight c ompetencies would be resident in my professional toolbox at this time, emphasis is mine. This begs the question, what competencies do I have? As originally stated, I have experience and some success executing the mission-specific competencies of a Strategic Advisor and Communicator while serving in the U.S. European Command and the U.S. Special Operations Command. Gavlin explains this mission-specific competency as â€Å"Professional judgment in matters of advice and communication stem from a full understanding of the environment through scanning, cultural awareness, ethical reasoning, and understanding the implications of the advice given.† While in Europe, I was a member of an interagency team responsible for drafting U.S. Embassy-Berlin’s diplomatic position, i.e. Note Verbale, with the government of Germany on how U.S. Army Europe would conduct oversight of Support to Intelligence Operations related contracts. Heretofore, these negotiations were routine and resolved at the lowest levels without issue. However, public disclosures aboutShow MoreRelatedPersonal Reflection : My Personal Experience1625 Words   |  7 Pagesbecause it is so easy to become tangled in our worries, stress, and busy schedules. Reflection can differ depending on the individual. For example, reflection to one individual can be accomplished through attending mass and having time to pray to God. For another individual, reflection could consist of participating in meditation or yoga. No matter how it is done it can be beneficial to one’s health and well-being. Reflection consists of taking time to carefully think and so it is necessa ry to make timeRead MorePersonal Reflection On My Personal Experience1467 Words   |  6 PagesDuring my life journey, I had encountered and experienced working with various people who posses different leadership qualities and I found myself accomplishing various leadership qualities using models in numerous situation which had impacted my life. In this diary, I will examine various leadership models that have moulded the way I approach the thought of authority and I will concentrate on the lead characters, which I possess myself. The focused will be given on reflections on my personal historyRead MorePersonal Experience : My Personal Reflection944 Words   |  4 Pages I consider my personal level of competence I had when I started this course was one of awareness and inexperience. In other words, I was aware of the cultural inequities that surround me and the field in which I work. As this course moved forward from week to week, I paralleled the reading material with my work experiences. It should be noted that I have little diversity in my caseload as far as race. However, I do have diversity in my caseload to do with life circumstances. These circumstancesRead MoreAn Reflection Of My Personal Experience1313 Words   |  6 Pagesspiritual discernment. For those that are gifted with both, intuition and spiritual discernment you can pretty much take what they say to the bank, it will happen or has happened just like they said it would. In my personal experience, I work with a lot of women on a day to day basis. In my particular ministry scope I help hurting women, particularly those that have been rejected or wounded in some way. Some of these women have been hurt deeply and must be handled with great care in order for me notRead MorePersonal Reflection : My Educational Experience1407 Words   |  6 Pages Education My educational experience is one amazing thing I would never forget. My parents gave me an experience of a lifetime that I would never let go and continue to expand. It was a gift of a great education I could have tossed away but instead I took advantage of it and it expanded my intellect and made me more independent. As a young girl my parents always told me, they wanted a great educational experience for me. 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We experienced what Walters (2006) considered the essence of retreats, which is to â€Å"have conversations with each other about things that are important†¦individually and collectively† (p. 22) Reflection on Retreat Experience Accustomed to a world inundated with technology, constant motion, and noise, spending a sustained period of time inRead MoreReporting Studying senior social science subjects was the most influential factor which provided a1600 Words   |  7 PagesReporting Studying senior social science subjects was the most influential factor which provided a wonderful opportunity to discover my abilities and develop skills and confidence in critical thinking and systematic research processes. Especially, getting an A+ for a psychology report assignment and genuinely enjoying the process have given me a sense of competence in performing similar tasks such as planning and conducting experiments, analysing results, and evaluating research processes. AfterRead More1. Introduction. Reflective Practice Is A Key Part Of Working1646 Words   |  7 Pagesintrinsically linked; a clinician learns through examining experiences (Bolton, 2010). It encourages an appropriate amount of autonomy while also ensuring accountability (Tarrant, 2013). Tarrant also describes the importance of reflection for professional and personal values, and how and why a clinician does something, rather than just what is done. Development may even be hindered if reflection does not tak e place. The impact of reflection can be significant; as understanding increases so does theRead MoreReflective Writing1241 Words   |  5 PagesHow do I . . . Write a Reflection? Why reflective writing? Reflection offers you the opportunity to consider how your personal experiences and observations shape your thinking and your acceptance of new ideas. Professors often ask students to write reading reflections. They do this to encourage you to explore your own ideas about a text, to express your opinion rather than summarise the opinions of others. Reflective writing can help you to improve your analytical skills because it requires

Playing Rodeo Essay Example For Students

Playing Rodeo Essay As the days grow longer, the Kansas wind gets warmer, and the school year draws to a close, the thoughts of ranchers and would-be cowboys in Chase County and the surrounding communities turn to rodeo, specifically the Flint Hills Rodeo. The oldest consecutive rodeo of June, the Flint Hills Rodeo draws thousands of spectators from near and far. This two-day event is an experience that is not easily forgotten. The Flint Hills Rodeo is an important yearly event with roots deeply embedded in Chase County history. It is said that in the 1930s, the children of E.C. Roberts, including Cowgirl Hall of Fame inductee Marjorie Roberts and her brothers, rodeo stars Ken and Gerald, used to play rodeo on their ranch using their familys livestock. Gradually, local interest in these impromptu performances grew, and in 1937, Roberts, his son Ken, and his son-in-law Eddie Boysen staged what is widely considered to be the first professional rodeo in Chase County. At that time, no rodeo facilities existed, so Roberts offered the use of the big corral on his ranch located two miles west of Strong City. The event was such a rousing success, the Flint Hills Rodeo Association was formed the following year and plans were made to continue the Flint Hills Rodeo annually (FlintRodeo, 348). The early years were quite exciting, and the citizens of Chase County embraced the Flint Hills Rodeo. According to longtime resident Edith Edwards Kutz, it was community spirit and hard work that got the rodeo off the ground: At the start, we all took cars and went around to towns throughout the state, putting up posters, honking horns and just letting people know we were having a rodeo (Collection 24). During the weekend event, many residents of Strong City and the neighboring towns invited the cowboys, rodeo clowns, and wild west show performers into their homes. Mrs. Kutz remembers hosting Spike Bronson, a rodeo clown, and his wife, Connie: After every ride, Connie and I spent our time washing those large Levis and trying to dry them in front of the oven (24). Despite the vast amount of work and volunteer effort required to maintain such a large endeavor, the Flint Hills Rodeo nevertheless quickly attracted local and national attention, and the crowds grew larger every year. The arena at Strong City on Highway 50 is a familiar landmark to the people of Chase County, yet the Flint Hills Rodeo started in much more humble surroundings. In 1938, a more permanent home was constructed at the Roberts ranch; the work was donated by men of the Chase County community, and the result was an arena that was used from 1938-1940. By 1941, new rodeo grounds were developed one mile west of Strong City. Improvements included a public address system and factory-made portable bleachers capable of accommodating the swelling crowds. However, in 1947, Highway 50 was relocated through part of Strong City, leading to yet another move for the Flint Hills Rodeo. Twenty acres adjacent to Highway 50 were purchased, and necessary structures such as a permanent arena, buckout chutes, catch pens, and concession stands were added and maintained, resulting in a well-built facility that is still used today (Flint, 348). From its inception, the Flint Hills Rodeo has been sanctioned by yprofessional rodeo organizations, and today it is recognized as an important competitive rodeo by the PRCA, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. It has consistently attracted well-known rodeo stars since its beginning. In 1939, when asked what big-name stars were expected at the rodeo, held that year on May 20th and 21st, Ken Roberts replied, Theyll all be here because theyll be on their way from the rodeo May 12-14 at Dodge City to the rodeo at Fort Smith, Ark, on May 27-29. The Strong City dates are in between and will provide another rodeo for the professional riders. Yes, theyll all be here (Big). More recently, well-known rodeo names such as Tuff Hedemann, Monty Hawkeye Henson, and local standout Jason Lahr have thrilled rodeo crowds as they participated in events such as roping, dogging, and riding broncs and bulls. .u401dec712fab2b943d436f2b424d0507 , .u401dec712fab2b943d436f2b424d0507 .postImageUrl , .u401dec712fab2b943d436f2b424d0507 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u401dec712fab2b943d436f2b424d0507 , .u401dec712fab2b943d436f2b424d0507:hover , .u401dec712fab2b943d436f2b424d0507:visited , .u401dec712fab2b943d436f2b424d0507:active { border:0!important; } .u401dec712fab2b943d436f2b424d0507 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u401dec712fab2b943d436f2b424d0507 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u401dec712fab2b943d436f2b424d0507:active , .u401dec712fab2b943d436f2b424d0507:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u401dec712fab2b943d436f2b424d0507 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u401dec712fab2b943d436f2b424d0507 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u401dec712fab2b943d436f2b424d0507 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u401dec712fab2b943d436f2b424d0507 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u401dec712fab2b943d436f2b424d0507:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u401dec712fab2b943d436f2b424d0507 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u401dec712fab2b943d436f2b424d0507 .u401dec712fab2b943d436f2b424d0507-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u401dec712fab2b943d436f2b424d0507:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Dead EssayThe charm of the Flint Hills rodeo also lies in the many extra features that rodeo weekend offers. One of