 A Study of American Rhetoric, Macbeth, & Present-Day Political Movements

 With a partner, make a list of great speeches. o These may be… Political Historical From books, movies, or real life o What do these speeches have in common? What makes them great?

 Pathos  Ethos  Logos  Mood & Tone  Rhetorical question  Metaphor & Simile  Parallelism  Antithesis  Sarcasm  Understatement  Hyperbole  Call to action

 Write an original (meaning: you made it up) example of your rhetorical device.

 List some instances from American history where citizens have (either violently or peacefully) sought to dramatically change their government.  When (if ever) do citizens have the right to fight against their government?

 How convincing do you find Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty” speech? o What is his most convincing argument? o What is his least convincing argument? o Are the reasons he lists for revolution good enough reasons to actually go to war? Why or why not?

 Why is freedom of speech, guaranteed by our 1 st Amendment, so important?  How does this freedom apply to you?

Transmission third world war third round A decade of the weapon of sound above ground No shelter if you’re looking for shade I lick shots at the brutal charade As the polls close like a casket On truth devoured Silent play in the shadow of power A spectacle monopolized The cameras eyes on choice disguised Was it cast for the mass who burn and toil? Or for the vultures who thirst for blood and oil? Yes a spectacle monopolized They hold the reins, stole your eyes All the fistagons the bullets and bombs Who stuff the banks Who staff the party ranks…

 Do you agree with John Mayer that your generation is just “waiting on the world to change,” or do you think your generation is making the world change? o Explain, using specific examples from your life, the news, this school, etc.

 If you had just been elected President of the United States, what would you want to say o To your supporters? o To your detractors? o To the nation as a whole? o To the world?

 What makes a strong paragraph strong? o List at least 4 attributes of a good paragraph, and explain why each is essential.

I think that Sojourner Truth’s speech had the most effective rhetorical strategies. Her use of pathos, parallelism, and ethos really made the speech memorable. She used pathos by showing the hard times in her life and explaining that it was all mostly by the hand of the white man. She liked using parallelism saying that she’s a woman, and she should have women’s rights even if she’s a black woman. She does all of this in a way that is respectful, showing her ethos.

 What are your ambitions? Do you consider yourself to be a particularly ambitious person?  Is ambition a good trait to have? Why or why not?