1. Speech to the Virginia Convention Patrick Henry

2. 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

3. 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?

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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

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

14. 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.