Rhetorical Analysis

With a critical ear, read the following speech delivered by Patrick Henry at the Virginia Convention in Then write a well-organized essay in which you discuss the rhetorical strategies Henry employs to achieve his purpose for addressing those in attendance. In your analysis, consider such strategies as: organization, diction, syntax, and figurative language.

 WHO? (Patrick Henry)  WHERE? (“Speech in the Virginia Convention”)  WHAT? HOW? WHY? Next slide, please…

WHAT? What is Henry’s PURPOSE? To:  Criticize leaders for ignoring the reality of their situation  Suggest that their past methods of diplomacy are ineffective  Implore his audience to take up arms and fight for freedom  Challenge the notion that the British still wish to negotiate WHATWHAT HOW? What are the strategies he uses to address his purpose? Henry employs… Organization (structure/method) Diction (specify descriptive words) Syntax – (repetition/parallelism/re statement/rhetorical questions) Figurative language – (metaphor/simile/personi fication, allusion, etc.)

Writing your thesis statement for the entire essay

In his speech at the Virginia Convention, Patrick Henry [verb +] _________________________ [identify purpose] by/through____________ _______________________________ _____ _______ [specific reference to his rhetorical strategies] in order to _____________.

 In his speech at the Virginia Convention, Patrick Henry uses diction, organization, and figurative language to achieve his purpose.

 In his speech at the Virginia Convention, Patrick Henry argues that it is time for Americans to fight for their freedom.

 In his speech at the Virginia Convention, Patrick Henry uses diction, organization, and figurative language to argue that it is time for Americans to fight for their freedom.

In his speech at the Virginia Convention (where), Patrick Henry (who) argues (what) that Americans have no choice but to take up arms against the British by (how) reminding the country’s leaders of their failed attempts at securing peace and liberty in the past and by (how) confronting them with their current position of danger in the face of the inevitable British invasion through (how) mythological and biblical allusions, the motif of slavery, urgent and pleading diction, and a passionate tone in order to (why) persuade them to raise arms against the British.

In his speech at the Virginia Convention, Patrick Henry [verb +] _____________________ ___ [identify purpose] by/ through ____ _________________________________ ____ [specific reference to his rhetorical strategies]. (2 by/through clauses)

…BY REMINDING THE COUNTRY’S LEADERS OF THEIR FAILED ATTEMPTS AT SECURING PEACE AND LIBERTY IN THE PAST  Allusions:  “song of that siren”  “betrayed with a kiss”  Imagery:  smile, snare, kiss  Metaphor:  lamp of experience  Diction:  Recurring reference to hope: ▪ illusion of hope ▪ delusive phantom ▪ solace of hope ▪ no room for hope

…AND BY CONFRONTING THEM WITH THEIR CURRENT POSITION OF DANGER IN THE FACE OF THE INEVITABLE BRITISH INVASION. Diction: Recurring references to slavery chains bind rivet forging clanking Imagery: “war-like preparations which cover our waters and darken our land” Rhetorical Question and Answer organization Parallel Structure: Communicates passion and resolve “Our petitions have been slighted…contempt…” If we wish to be free…if…and if…” Syntax: exclamation points.

1. Polish your thesis statement. 2. Write an introductory paragraph that is interesting and that includes your thesis statement that gives 2 “by/through” clauses. 3. Your 2 “by/through” clauses are now the topics of your body paragraphs. Identify at least 2 specific devices or techniques that line up under each “by/through” clause, supporting what you have identified as Henry’s purpose.

ORGANIZED BY PURPOSE I. Introduction A. Provocative Q or statement with answer. B. Provide brief context. C. Thesis Statement II. Purpose One [topic sentence] A. Example of device #1 (3-5 sentence chunk) B. Example of device #2 (3-5 sentence chunk) C. Concluding sentence ORGANIZED BY DEVICE I. Introduction A. Provocative Q or statement with answer B. Provide brief context. C. Thesis Statement II. Device One [topic sentence] A. Example of device #1 + purpose (3-5 sentence chunk) B. Example of device #2 + purpose (3-5 sentence chunk) C. Concluding sentence

ORGANIZED BY PURPOSE III. Purpose Two [topic sentence] A. Example of device #1 (3- 5 sentence chunk) B. Example of device #2 (3- 5 sentence chunk) C. Concluding sentence IV. Conclusion A. Revisit the BIG question (purpose) B. Provide universal insight ORGANIZED BY DEVICE III. Device Two [topic sentence] A. Example of device #1 + purpose (3-5 sentence chunk) B. Example of device #2 + purpose (3-5 sentence chunk) C. Concluding sentence IV. Conclusion A. Revisit the BIG question (purpose) B. Provide universal insight

1. Quotations should not be longer than 6-8 words. 2. Quotations do not speak for themselves, but must be framed (tucked in) with an introduction (preceding) and explanation for quotation (following).

Patrick Henry reveals to his audience that they are placing their hopes on an illusion of goodwill by the British. “We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts.” This quote shows that they have failed in their attempts at securing peace and liberty.

Henry reveals to his audience that they are placing their hopes on an illusion of goodwill falsely communicated by the British. He alludes to the “song of that siren,” a reference to the irresistible, but daunting creatures in The Odyssey with the ability to “transform [men] into beasts,” in order to characterize the British promises as ultimately dangerous to American freedom. Through this reference, Henry connects the former promises of liberty made by the British diplomats to the alluring but lethal siren’s song so that his colleagues can more fully understand Henry’s purpose to convince them that in the past they have either been blind or have ignored the truth that the British ministry does not have American interests at heart.

1. Write your thesis statement at the top of the page. Underline it in PINK. 2. Write a topic sentence for a body paragraph using one of the purpose statements. Underline the topic sentence in PINK. 3. Write two embedded quotations per body paragraph. Connect these with a meaningful transition. Underline references to strategies in BLUE. Underline references to text in GREEN. Underline the commentary (explanation of significance) in YELLOW.. 4. Write a concluding statement referring back to the topic sentence. Underline you concluding statement in PINK.

1. Revisit the BIG question [the purpose part of your Thesis Statement]. This is your turn to be GLOBAL AND NOBLE! Patrick Henry argues that Americans have no choice but to take up arms against the British by…

Provide universal insight [one great sentence]. What is the significance of this essay in light of contemporary issues facing America? Would it be nice to have a Patrick Henry today inspiring America to action? Think “universally.”

Patrick Henry argues that Americans have no choice but to take up arms against the British. He does this by using patterns of diction and allusions. Hopefully America will find someone like him to get America going again today.

America had no choice but to take up arms against the British. By allusions to Greek mythology and the Bible, by patterns of diction reflecting the motifs After convincing the colonists of their lost hope and pending slavery, Henry skillfully employs rhetorical strategies that inspire(s) the colonists to action. Henry ends with the plaintive cry to “Give me liberty or give me death” – a cry that has echoed through the Civil War, world wars, and wherever the hearts of men yearn to be free.

1. Type the entire essay (Introduction, 2 body paragraphs and a conclusion). 2. Underline the Thesis Statement in PINK. 3. Underline the Topic Sentence of each Body Paragraph in PINK. 4. You should have a total of 4 Embedded Quotations(2 in each Body Paragraph). 5. The 2 QSs in each paragraph should be connected by a meaningful transition. a. Underline references to strategies in BLUE. b. Underline references to text in GREEN. c. Underline the explanation in YELLOW. 6. Your conclusion should revisit the BIG question and provide universal insight with a bunch of GLOBAL NOBLENESS!