332 INTRODUCTORY SPEECHES FOR ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
Third–Culture Kid
1 People often come up to our classmate Micah and ask where he’s from. For many of you,
that’s probably easy to answer. But it’s tough for Micah because he’s a Third–Culture Kid. He
grew up all over the world, in cultures that were foreign to him and his parents. Because Micah’s
4 When Micah was sixteen, he moved back to the United States and settled in Colorado.
Now he’s here at the University of Wisconsin. Sometimes Wisconsin feels like a foreign country
to him, but that’s why he loves it. He still has two more years here, and he’s looking forward to
them. But he’s also excited to see where he goes next.
5 So if you see Micah around campus and ask where he’s from, he probably won’t have an
THIRD–CULTURE KID 333
Third–Culture Kid
Commentary
“Third–Culture Kid” is an inventive speech introducing a classmate. By contrasting Micah’s upbringing
with the upbringing of other audience members, the speaker provides a novel perspective on the life of
one of their classmates. Video of the speech is available online and on the DVD of student speeches
that accompanies this edition of The Art of Public Speaking. Here is a brief synopsis.
Specific Purpose: To introduce my classmate Micah to the audience.
Central Idea: Because he grew up in cultures foreign to him and to his parents, Micah is a third–culture
kid.
Method of Organization: Topical
Introduction: The introduction gains attention and interest by contrasting Micah’s experience as a “third–
happen next.
Conclusion: The conclusion provides unity by echoing ideas and language from the introduction and
ends on a positive note by underscoring Micah’s appreciation for growing up as a third–culture
kid. From beginning to end, the speaker communicates his ideas engagingly and with strong eye
contact and natural gestures. He introduces his classmate with respect and dignity.
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