The Verbose Insomniacs
Speech Unit
*Speeches have shaped American history. By appealing to emotion, ethics, and logic, they have shaped the way Americans have thought and acted. The following are two very important speeches in American history.
Speech in the Virginia Convention ~Patrick Henry
Background: Patrick Henry, already a renown orator, was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1765. He delivered numerous speeches, such as one declaring opposition to the Stamp Act, in order to convince the Virginia House to adopt Henry's resolutions in protest to the British. These speeches preceded Henry's most famous speech. In 1775, Henry delivered the "Speech in the Virginia Convention," which was a call to arms. While many men that day had desired compromise with the British, Henry boldly declared that armed resistance was the only sensible option for the colonies. Henry even risked being executed for treason by giving this speech.
Rhetorical Devices/ Analysis: The rhetorical devices used in the speech were largely responsible for the poem's resonant nature and success. This powerpoint presentation provides an in-depth analysis of the rhetorical devices used in this speech.
Effect: Henry's speech convinced not only the people at the Virginia Convention but also many colonists to desire independence from King George. It led to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Speech in the Convention ~Benjamin Franklin
Background: Benjamin Franklin was already widely respected in America before delivering this speech; he was a leader in the colonial movement for independence, persuaded france to assist the colonists in the American Revolution, and signed the peace treaty that established the new nation. He returned home to serve as a delegate to the Constituional Convention in PA. On the last day of the convention, Franklin delivered this speech in an effort to compel states to ratify the Constitution.
Rhetorical Devices/ Analysis: This video provides an in depth analysis of the rhetorical devices used in this speech. It also analyzes each line of the poem.
Effect: Franklin convinced the delegates to ratify the Constitution, which is the same document used today. Of course, there have been many alterations made to it; yet it provided a sound foundation for the American government to develop on.
Types of Speeches:
political speech: focuses on an issue related to govenrment
address: prepared for a special occasion, such as a dedication or inauguration
sermon: intended to provide religious instruction
Rhetorical Devices: patterns of words and ideas used to create emphasis, clarify meaning, and stir emotion
restatement: expressing the same ideas with different words
anaphora: repition of the same word or word group at the beginning of successive sentences, caluses, or phrases
rhetorical question: question asked for effect rather than answers
repetition: restating the idea using the same words
antithesis: juxtaposition of strongly contrasting words, images, or ideas
parallelism: repeating a grammatical structure
exclamation: an emotional statement, often indicated by an exclamation point