In Taylor Swift’s 2022 commencement speech at New York University, she employs logos by sharing life lessons drawn from her own experiences. She explains that her past mistakes made her who she is today, telling the audience, “Being embarrassed when you mess up is part of the human experience.” Her words of wisdom convey that it’s okay to fail—just try again.

Swift establishes ethos through her unique position: she received an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts while maintaining a successful music career and global fame. She acknowledges the challenges she faced completing this milestone during the pandemic. Her credibility comes from her authority as someone who has balanced an extraordinary career with continued personal growth. Although she is nearly twice the age of her fellow graduates, she builds rapport with humor, joking that she’s now a doctor but won’t be working in an emergency room anytime soon.

Pathos emerges through her emotional connection with the audience. She shares openly about her past, building trust and understanding by admitting she has made many mistakes but emphasizing that setbacks shouldn’t stop anyone from moving forward. She addresses a concept familiar to young people today: being “cringe,” or feeling awkward and embarrassed. Swift advises graduates to “learn to live alongside the cringe,” acknowledging that we all have uncomfortable moments we can’t avoid but can learn to accept. Life isn’t perfect, and her appeal resonates with the challenges young adults face. Her message is clear: it’s okay to have cringe moments—they’re part of growing up.

Taylor Swift is a singer-songwriter and one of the most popular artists in the world. She began her music journey at the age of 15 and has since become the first woman to win a Grammy for Album of the Year three times. Early in her career, she made guest appearances on popular shows like Hannah Montana.

She lost the opportunity for a traditional school and college experience due to her music career, but that didn't stop her. In 2022, she received an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from New York University. Completing this milestone during the pandemic was challenging, but she persevered.

Swift serves as an inspiration to her fans, who look up to her because, regardless of her fame and career demands, she still valued education—motivating young people to pursue their own goals.

Taylor Swift has produced some of the most successful music in the world, with many of her songs drawing from personal experiences, including breakups, that resonate with audiences globally.

Taylor Swift's speech was a commencement address delivered at NYU's 188th graduation ceremony. In addition to speaking to the graduates, she herself received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree.

Throughout her speech, she celebrated the Class of 2022 while joking about being "Doctor Taylor."

She reflected on the last time she was in a stadium that size—dancing in high heels and wearing a glittery leotard—and acknowledged that she never expected to earn a degree while still being a world-famous singer.

Standing on stage addressing the graduates, she explained that life is hard but you have to get back up and try again. In her speech, she turned her past reflections into lessons her audience could apply to their own lives.

The message extends beyond the graduates in attendance; it has become a widely shared speech that millions have watched.