Miracle Speech
Subject
To provide hope and inspire the hockey team to play their hardest
Speaker
Men's 1980 Olympic hockey coach: Herb Brooks
Occasion
1980 Winter Olympic Games at Lake Placid.
The USA men's hockey team was playing the Soviet team when the speech took place. This was during the cold war.
Audience
Direct
Herb Brooks hockey team
Indirect
The United States of America's public
Purpose
To inspire his team and give them the pep talk they need to win their game over the Soviets, ultimately winning the gold medal for USA
Tone
Inspirational
"Tonight, we are the greatest hockey team in the world."
Using words such as "we" and "team" create unity and then the word "greatest" is hopeful
Admiring and Ecouraging
"Tonight, we are the greatest hockey team in the world. You were born to be hockey players, every one of you.And you were meant to be here tonight."
Because the Soviets were such a good hockey team everyone thought that USA team was not going to win. Herb Brooks points out the team's greatness, admiring each of his players and encouraging them to play their hardest
Great moments... are born from great opportunity. And that's what you have here, tonight, boys. That's what you've earned here tonight. One game. If we played 'em ten times, they might win nine. But not this game. Not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight, we stay with them. And we shut them down because we can! Tonight, WE are the greatest hockey team in the world. You were born to be hockey players. Every one of you. And you were meant to be here tonight. This is your time. Their time is done. It's over. I'm sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Soviets have. Screw 'em. This is your time. Now go out there and take it.
"Great moments are born from great oppurtunity
Personification
Great moments aren't born and the personification show Brook's team that anything is possible
Red Herring
The entire speech focuses on hockey to distract the boys from realizing that the team is going up against the country that is at war with them. To distract them from the cold war.
"Tonight"
Anaphora and Repetition
The repetition of this word throughout the speech is to create urgency. Brooks is showing the team that they only have one shot at this and they should not leave anything on the table.