Reaction Essay on Steve Jobs' Stanford Commencement Address

Reaction Essay on Steve Jobs' Stanford Commencement Address

This speech has influenced a large number of people's lives all over the world, and it may also change yours. Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, is famous around the world for his creativity, artistic sense, and inventiveness. He delievered this speech at the commencement of Stanford University in 2005. He shared his three personal stories with Stanford graduates. I find the speech very encouraging and inspiring so I will choose two ideas from that speech and share my thoughts and experiences with you about what I have learned from and why I believe in the two ideas.

The first idea is about connecting the dots. Jobs said that the calligraphy class he took after dropping out seemed has no practical application in his life; however, ten years later, the single class helped him to create the first computer with beautiful typography. "You cannot connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards," Jobs said. I felt encouraged, since in vocational school, I thought learning computer software and practing Chinese and English typing were boring and useless. Nonetheless, I am now in college, and fortunately, what I had learned in vocational school turned out to be very useful. I now can use office software effectively and efficiently so that doing assignments becomes so easy for me. Moreover, my typing skill helps me a lot on writing term-paper. In short, I recommend that you follow your hearts, learn what interests you, and wait patiently, because you will never know how those you once thought useless can make you pay off in the future.

The second idea is about finding what you love. Jobs mentioned that he was lucky, because he found what he loved early in life. After he got fired, he still loved what he did. "You've got to find what you love," Jobs said. I felt inspired because I found what I love to do when I am a junior in college. I am eager to be a motivational speaker, author, and trainer. I have a calling that urges me to be a positively influential person. I like to help people to see the bright side of the world, help them to see their greatness, and help them to become better themselves. I believe that everyone has a passion. It can make the ordinary become the extraordinary, and I insist that you find it out. When you are doing something you passionately believe in, you feel so satisfied and happy even without any pay. For example, when people want to seek some advice from me, I am happy to spend my precious tiem helping them, and seriously, I do not want them to pay me, since I believe what I am doing is truly great work. All in all, you have to find what you love because it is the key to become happy and successful.

This speech is one of the most motivating speeches I have ever heard. It pushes me to open my heart and mind to learn new things that, one day, may make a difference. lt also reminds me to stick to my passion that may lead to an exceptional life. Finally, I really hope that Jobs' speech and my essay can also have a positive influence on your lives.

Outline-Reaction Essay on Steve Jobs’ Stanford Commencement Address

Outline

Reaction Essay on Steve Jobs' Stanford Commencement Address

A. Introduction

I. Hook-this speech may change your life

II. Background description

III. Thesis statement-I find this speech very encouraging and inspiring.

B. Body Paragraphs

I. Connecting the dots
  i. Background description
  ii. Example-In vocational school, I thought learning computer software and practing Chinese and English typing were boring and useless; however, they turned out to be very useful later on.

II. Find what you love
  i. Background description
  ii. Example-Luckly, when I am a junior, I find that I am eager to be a motivational speaker, author, and trainer.

C. Conclusion

The Positive Effects of Praise-After Peer Edit

Chinese Name: 陳冠廷	English Name: Don
Major: Business Administration	Date: 05/01/2011

The Positive Effects of Praise

Do you know what thing, in the world, is so powerful, motivating, and inspiring? It can not only make the frustrated feel encouraged, but also the aimless feel motivated. In addition, it can drive the defeated to become the triumphant, and it can help the ordinary to find greatness within them. The thing described above is no magic. Some of you might already know the answer. Yes! The astonishing thing is the power of praise. Some might argue that praise will make a person more self-centered and arrogant; however, that is not the whole story and, more importantly, not true. Amazingly, based on general truth, praise can make a person more confident, stronger, and more successful. The fact that this effective tool is rarely used in Taiwan saddened me; therefore, I am writing this essay to raise the awareness of this useful means, praise.

The first effect is that appropriate praise creates confidence. Some might think that praise is just saying something good; nonetheless, good praise is far more difficult than that. When individuals want to praise someone, they need to find out the specific that he or she has done and indicate those specific publicly or personally to him or her. There is no doubt that people enjoy being recognized and appreciated. Recognition and appreciation make people more confident because they realize that they have done something good. Thus, praise is the source of confidence.

Another effect is that confidence can transform a weak person into a mentally and physically strong one. Self-confidence is a mindset that always tells individuals that they can do better. This mindset can significantly affect people’s lives because, unfortunately, people can not make their own way all the time. Persons, without enough self-confidence, are more likely to give up when confronting complicated, tough, and challenging situations. On the other hand, persons who have sufficient self-confidence are more likely to continually struggle to overcome difficulties. After conquering the difficulties, their minds grow stronger and confidence soar higher. A strong mind makes a heart stay healthy, passionate, and ambitious. And then a vigorous heart brings a strong body. Consequently, a positive cycle emerges.

The other effect is that a strong person is more likely to lead to a successful life. Strong individuals are more willing to accept challenges, and great challenges always bring about great achievements. For example, Mahatma Gandhi was not afraid of taking the responsibility of making India an independent country, and he made it happen. Besides, strong persons are more willing to seek out help, since they know that asking for assistance can make them remain strong. Moreover, strong people have faith in their hearts, forcing them to try again and again. For instance, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, the founding father of Republic of China, strived to build a country belonging to the Chinese people. He altogether tried 11 times. Fortunately, he finally succeeded. In short, strong individuals are more likely to accomplish great things because of their courage, modesty, and perseverance.

I sum praise up as a tool that can help people realize that how great they are, that can make people understand that how strong they can be, and that can let people know that how much they can achieve. I strongly believe that everyone has something special, and that everyone has greatness within him or her. Praise is one of the ways that can dig out people’s potential and discover people’s talents. Powerful tool becomes powerful only when used, so I am here urging you to use this tool every time possible. Remember! You are not only using a tool, but also helping people to be their best. You are not only becoming more successful by yourselves, but also helping people to become more successful.

New Semester Resolutions-Last Version

Chinese Name: 陳冠廷	English Name: Don
Major: Business Administration	Date: 03/28/2011

New Semester Resolutions

I am a goal-oriented person. I love achieving goals and then find other more challenging goals. This makes me feel fulfilled and satisfied. Without exception, I have three new semester resolutions this year. These three resolutions are about learning, pastime, and health. They might be very common when you first look at them; however, they turn out to be extremely rewarding to me.

First, I want to read at least eight books a month. Reading books is one of my major interests, and I think it has many benefits. When I am reading a book, I feel so relaxed, because books can take me to many different worlds that I have not experienced. Moreover, reading can make me think, since different authors will share different perspectives and different ways of thinking. Some authors’ opinions convince me, while some do not. But all of them provide me valuable insights.

Second, I want to see at least eight movies a month. In my opinion, watching movies is interesting and educational. Two of my favorite movies are Click and The Family Man. These two movies’ main idea is kind of close. They share a same idea that tells people that making money is not the most important thing in the world, but family. I am not saying that I totally agree with that idea, but at least, I feel that it’s an idea worth spreading. More importantly, these two movies are also very interesting. In short, they make me laugh and cry.

Last, I want to sleep before 12:30 a.m. and get up at 07:30 a.m. every day. I really wanted to have a healthy life style, but I failed to achieve it. However, I have decided to try it again, so I put this in my resolution list. I think a healthy life style matters a lot. It can make me healthy and strong. In addition, it can help me to stay awake in classes. It also gives me more time to do assignments, to spend on pastimes, and to attend activities I like. Altogether, a healthy life style can help me to improve my quality of life, to increase my academic performance, and to enrich my experience. That’s why I believe that this resolution is worth trying.

To sum up, reading eight books a month, watching eight movies a month, and having a healthy life style sound ordinary; nonetheless, I am eager to put them into practice because they will make me a more intelligent, more contented, and more wholesome individual. Fortunately as a fighter, I am really confident that these three resolutions can be achieved this semester.

Outline-The Positive Effects of Praise

Chinese Name: 陳冠廷	English Name: Don
Major: Business Administration	Date: 05/01/2011

Outline-The Positive Effects of Praise

A.         Introduction

I.            Hook-do you know how praise can affect a person’s life?

II.         Thesis-Praise can make a person more confident, strong, and successful.

B.         Body Paragraphs

I.            How praise can make a person more confident.

                             i.                Recognition and appreciation

II.         How confidence can transform a weak person into a physically and mentally strong one.

                             i.                Confident people struggle to overcome difficulties.

                           ii.                Minds become stronger after overcoming challenges.

                          iii.                Strong minds make hearts stronger.

                         iv.                Strong hearts make body healthy.

III.       How a strong person can lead to a successful life.

                             i.                More willing to accept challenges-Gandhi

                           ii.                More willing to seek out help

                          iii.                More willing to try again and again-Dr. Sun Yat-Sen

C. Conclusion

President Ma's visit to NTUST

President Ma visited NTUST the other day, but I didn't have time to attend this amazing event, since I had a meeting about class's presention. He mentioned some important issues to promote discussion. One of those issues is about Mainland China's students studying at Taiwan. He wanted to know our opinions about that. In my viewpoint, I strongly support this policy, because I think students from Mainland will make Taiwan a more competitive and diverse learning place.

New Semester Resolutions-Final Draft

Chinese Name: 陳冠廷	English Name: Don
Major: Business Administration	Date: 03/28/2011

New Semester Resolutions

I am a goal-oriented person. I love conquering goals and then find other more challenging goals. This makes me fulfilled and satisfied. Without exception, I have three new semester resolutions this year. These three resolutions are about learning, pastime, and health. They might be very common when you first look at them; however, they turn out to be extremely rewarding to me.

First, I want to read at least eight books a month. Reading books is one of my major interests, and I think it has many benefits. When I am reading a book, I feel so relaxed, because books can take me to many different worlds that I have not experienced. Moreover, reading can make me think, since different authors will share different perspectives and different ways of thinking. Some authors’ opinions convince me, while some do not, but all of them provide me valuable insights.

Second, I want to see at least eight movies a month. In my opinion, watching movies is interesting and educational. Two of my favorite movies are "Click" and "The Family Man". These two movies’ main idea is kind of close. They share a same idea that tells people that making money is not the most important thing in the world, but family. I am not saying that I totally agree with that idea, but at least, I feel that it’s an idea worth spreading. More importantly, these two movies are also very fun. In short, they make me laugh and cry.

Last, I want to sleep before 12:30 a.m. and get up at 07:30 a.m. every day. I really wanted to have a healthy life style, but I failed to achieve it. However, I decided to try it again, so I put this in my resolution list. I think a healthy life style matters a lot. It can make me healthy and strong. In addition, it can keep me from sleeping at classes and from oversleeping. It also gives me more time to do assignments, to spend on pastimes, and to attend activities I like. Altogether, a healthy life style can help me to improve my quality of life, to increase my academic performance, and to enrich my experience. That’s why I believe that this resolution is worth trying.

To sum up, reading eight books a month, watching eight movies a month, and having a healthy life style sound ordinary; nonetheless, I am eager to realize them because they will make me a more intelligent, more contented, and more wholesome individual. Fortunately as a fighter, I am really confident that these three resolutions can be achieved this semester.