Rhetorical Strategies Common in Speeches

First things first Identify context—speaker, situation, purpose, claim. Look at content—use of examples, reasons, analogies, statistics, facts, references (logos). Why are these convincing? Or not?

How does speaker relate to audience? Use of inclusive language (“we,” “us”) Establishing ethos—How does the speaker make the audience believe him or her?

What stylistic techniques does the speaker use? The following slides are some of the most frequently used stylistic devices in speeches.

Mantra/ Repetition “I have a dream” repeated 9 times in MLK’s 1963 speech What other phrase is repeated in this speech? Soujourner Truth “Aint I a Woman” Lou Gehrig “Luckiest Man” Effects: highlight important ideas, engage audience in message, create an ironic effect, make message more memorable

Contrasts: Can you complete the following? JFK: Ask not what your country can do for you, but . . . Hamlet: To be or . . . . Neil Armstrong: One small step for man… Patrick Henry: Give me liberty or . . . MLK: My four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but . . . . Effect: Shows passion, conviction, hope for change

Three-part lists Julius Caesar: Friends, Romans, Countrymen Abraham Lincoln: Of the people, by the people, for the people Winston Churchill: blood, sweat, tears The Lord’s Prayer: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory Effects: highlights ideas, unifies three subjects, creates a sense of conclusiveness

Anecdotes or short narratives Nixon’s “Checkers” speech refuting charges that he accepted bribes or gifts while in office: One other thing I probably should tell you because if we don’t they’ll probably be saying this about me too, we did get something-a gift-after the election. A man down in Texas heard Pat on the radio mention the fact that our two youngsters would like to have a dog. And, believe it or not, the day before we left on this campaign trip we got a message from Union Station in Baltimore saying they had a package for us. We went down to get it. You know what it was. It was a little cocker spaniel dog in a crate that he’d sent all the way from Texas. Black and white spotted. And our little girl-Tricia, the 6-year old-named it Checkers. And you know, the kids, like all kids, love the dog and I just want to say this right now, that regardless of what they say about it, we’re gonna keep it. Effects: creates pathos, increases understanding and demonstrates relevance, adds humor

Imagery Chief Joseph: It is cold, we have no blankets; the little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them have run away to the hills, and have no blankets, no food. No one knows where they are—perhaps freezing to death. Hear me my chiefs! I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever! Effects: Creates pathos, increases understanding

Inclusive Language We Us Effects: Creates a connection with audience, makes audience more receptive to message

Alliteration JFK: Let us go forth and lead the land we love Effects: alliteration acts like verbal highlighters, emphasizing key words and points