Write a rhetorical analysis of a speech. Choose a speech that interests you, perhaps one that inspires you, or even one that angers you. Choose a speech that uses some rhetorical devices introduced in Chapter 5 (Similes, Metaphors, Analogies).
Speeches: There are many speeches online for which the whole text is available. A couple of websites you might consider are:
www.americanrhetoric.com/top100speechesall.html (Links to an external site.)
www.historyplace.com/speeches/previous.htm (Links to an external site.)
In addition, Wikipedia has a list of famous speeches which you could then Google.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_speeches (Links to an external site.)
Assignment: Write a paper making an argument that links a purpose of the speaker with the specific audience being addressed AND one or two rhetorical devices that achieve that purpose. This paper must be 3-5 pages, MLA format.
The purpose of this paper is to answer the following two questions:
How does the speaker want to change the audience?
How is this rhetorical tool designed to accomplish this goal?
Assignment:
Read and analyze the speech carefully.
Carefully consider the audience and the purpose of the speaker
Choose one device which is used to achieve that purpose
Use two or three examples from the speech to illustrate the use of each device.
Quote the exact words directly from the speech.
Give enough context that the reader can understand the quote.
For each example, discuss the connection between the speaker, the audience, and the occasion:
Why did the speaker use this device for this audience on this occasion? How was it supposed to affect them? Consider the following:
Who are they?
What are their assumptions and beliefs?
Where do they stand on the claim the speaker is making?
What do they think about the speaker?
Why and how is this approach likely to change them?
Sample Solution
