1. The Language of Oratory

2. Definition The skill of making powerful and persuasive speeches
The derived word oration, originally used for prayer since c.1375, now means any formal speech, as on a ceremonial occasion or delivered in a similarly high-flown or pompous manner

3. The Language of Oratory
Rhetorical devices
Personal pronouns
Emotive language
Sound devices
Figurative language
Other oratorical devices

4. Rhetorical
Devices

5. Rhetorical Devices 1) Rhetorical question 2) Exaggeration
a question is asked for effect, but not necessarily needing to be answered.
2) Exaggeration
trying to impress or influence by overstating a viewpoint, statement or idea

6. Rhetorical Devices 3) Contrast/Juxtaposition
when two opposite viewpoints, ideas
or concepts are placed close to each
other for effect.
4) Quotations from well-known sources
such as the Bible, television, movies, proverbs and cliches

7. Personal
Pronouns

8. Personal Pronouns 1) Pronouns to address the audience
basically to address them as a group, but not
necessarily to persuade them at this stage.
2) Pronouns to include the audience
speakers want the audience to be on their side and
agree with their ideas/statements.
3) Pronouns to exclude or distance the audience
sometimes we want to distance the audience from
those who have differing arguments

9. Emotive
Language

10. Emotive Language 3) Contrast/Juxtaposition
1) Words with Positive Connotation
warm fuzzy words to get the audience on your side.
2) Words with Negative Connotation
the opposite effects to positively charged emotive words
3) Contrast/Juxtaposition
positive and negative words in close proximity can
highlight and improve the effectiveness of your ideas

11. Sound Devices

12. Sound Devices 1) Alliteration 2) Assonance
repeating the initial consonant of a group of words for
aural effect and impact
2) Assonance
repeating vowel sounds for aural effect and impact

13. Sound Devices 3) Onomatopoeia 4) Rhyming
the words used sound like the thing or concept
being described
4) Rhyming
- words sounding similar that are pleasant to the ear
- listener can almost predict a part of the speech.

14. Figurative
Language

15. Figurative Language 1) Metaphor - describing two unrelated
things using direct
comparison.
- sometimes the metaphor can
be drawn out and becomes
an Extended Metaphor.

16. Figurative Language 2) Simile 3) Personification
describing two unrelated things or ideas using the linkers
“like” or “as”
3) Personification
giving human qualities to non human or inanimate things

17. Other Oratorical Devices

18. Other Oratorical Devices
1) Repetition
hammer home a point and make it memorable
2) Parallel Structure
like repetition, except that phrases and groups of words
are repeated for effect.
3) Listing
to emphasise important points