Speech to the Virginia Convention Patrick Henry

Objectives To understand how context, audience, and subject affect an argument To analyze what makes an effective argument To identify and rhetorical devices and how they function in a piece of text

Rhetorical Analysis In order for an argument to be effective, it has to appeal to the audience. Think back to the argument you used to convince your parents to send you on a trip to Costa Rica. What type of appeals did you use? Facts or statistics? Your credibility? Emotion? What else?

Aristotle, an ancient Greek philosopher, claimed that there are three appeals to use to create an effective argument: Ethos - Appeal to character/credibility Convincing your audience you are reliable and believable If the audience trusts you, they will be more likely to believe you. Logos - Appeal to logic and reason Convincing the audience through the use of logical thought, fact, and rationality This can “prove” to the audience that your argument is sound Pathos - Appeal to emotion Convincing the audience by creating an emotional response in the reader This can play on the hopes and fears or appeal to the particular beliefs of the audience. Rhetorical Analysis

Rhetorical Analysis When making an effective argument, one must consider the audience, the time period, and what he or she is trying to achieve. A good speaker/writer will consider all of these elements and mold his/her argument to meet the needs of the audience and the context. (think logos, pathos, ethos) In order to more closely analyze Patrick Henry’s speech and how he crafted his argument, we are going to use a format called SOAPSTone.

SOAPSTone S = Speaker Who is delivering or writing the text? O = Occasion The time and place of the text. The context that prompted the writing. A = Audience The group of readers/listeners to whom the piece is directed. P = Purpose Why the author is writing or delivering the text. Usually phrased in an “in order to…” phrase S = Subject The central idea of the text Tone The writer’s attitude towards the subject SOAPSTone

Let’s SOAPSTone “Speech in the Virginia Convention” Read through the background information and complete the speaker, occasion, audience, and subject. We will not be able to analyze for tone until we read the speech.

Let’s Read As we are reading, jot down the specific diction (word choice) that contributes to tone. Annotate for any rhetorical devices you notice in the speech.

Now, let’s look at the specific rhetorical devices Henry uses to craft his argument. Rhetorical Questions Asking the audience a question without expecting an answer Repetition The repetition of specific words and/or phrases Allusion Reference to something from history, literature, politics, sports, science, or art Metaphor A figure of speech directly comparing two unlike things

Now, let’s look at the specific rhetorical devices Henry uses to craft his argument. Parallelism Sentences or phrases that are structured in the same way - often the same words are repeated. Example: government of the people, by the people, for the people. Example: Antithesis Two contrasting ideas are presented, usually in parallel structure. Example: That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.

Now, let’s look at the specific rhetorical devices Henry uses to craft his argument. Diction The word choice used in the text You cannot just say the “author uses diction.” This just means the author uses words. You must use a modifier when describing diction Example: powerful, emotional, enthusiastic, negative

Rhetorical Analysis Prompt Write an essay in which you analyze the rhetorical strategies Patrick Henry uses to achieve his purpose.

The graphic organizer This graphic organizer will provide you with the textual evidence/analysis necessary to complete your essay: Specific instances from the text using rhetorical strategies/devices. The analysis of how these strategies/devices further Henry’s purpose.