from Speech in the Virginia Convention Speech by Patrick Henry Introducing the Speech with Literary Analysis: Rhetorical Devices Reading Skill: Reading a Persuasive Speech Vocabulary in Context VIDEO TRAILER

from Speech in the Virginia Convention INTRODUCING THE SPEECH When is it time to TAKE ACTION? Whether it’s the winning shot in the final seconds of the game, the right moment to ask someone out, or the decision to accept a job offer—timing is everything.

from Speech in the Virginia Convention INTRODUCING THE SPEECH When is it time to TAKE ACTION? In the spring of 1775, Patrick Henry had had enough of compromise with the British; it was time for armed resistance. His address to the Virginia Convention turned out to be a decisive moment not only in his own life but in the life of the United States as well. Virginia State House

from Speech in the Virginia Convention DISCUSS With a partner, think of examples from sports, politics, or everyday life when the time was right for decisive action. INTRODUCING THE SPEECH When is it time to TAKE ACTION? Example of Decisive Action: Reasons That the Time Was Right: Then, for one example, analyze why it was the right action at the right time.

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from Speech in the Virginia Convention Rhetorical Devices Rhetorical devices are structures within language that appeal to readers or listeners and communicate ideas. A rhetorical question is a question to which no answer is expected. Antithesis expresses contrasting ideas in parallel grammatical structures. But when shall we be stronger? Give me liberty, or give me death! Patrick Henry

from Speech in the Virginia Convention Rhetorical Devices Repetition is the recurrence of words, phrases, or lines. Parallelism is a kind of repetition in which words or phrases in the same grammatical form connect ideas. Let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come! Is life so dear, or peace so sweet...

from Speech in the Virginia Convention Biblical allusions are references to events, figures, or phrases from the Bible. In this selection, they have the rhetorical appeal of shared beliefs. As you read Henry’s speech, be on the lookout for rhetorical devices and how they might have affected his audience. Rhetorical Devices

from Speech in the Virginia Convention Reading a Persuasive Speech In this famous speech, Patrick Henry speaks to members of the Virginia convention, but clearly he is aware of a wider audience—even of future generations reading his words.

from Speech in the Virginia Convention What tone or attitude do you detect in his language, and how does his choice of words reveal his purpose as a speaker? As you read the speech, think about Henry’s audience and how he uses language to appeal to his audience. Reading a Persuasive Speech

from Speech in the Virginia Convention [intact] 7. America Must Remain Inviolate [excuse] 4. Insidious Spies Reveal Patriots’ Plans [treacherous] [unbeatable] [alert] [warlike] Use context clues to write a definition of each boldfaced vocabulary word. Sample answers appear in brackets. extenuate insidious invincible inviolate martial supinely vigilant 6. Citizens Told to Be Vigilant 1. Martial Speech Sets Stage for War 2. Never Supinely Accept Tyranny, Henry Says 3. Invincible Patriot Army Will Repel Attacks 5. Nothing Can Extenuate Tory Traitors [lying down]

from Speech in the Virginia Convention extenuate v. to lessen the seriousness of, especially by providing partial excuses insidious adj. treacherous; intended to entrap invincible adj. unbeatable inviolate adj. not violated; intact martial adj. warlike supinely adv. in a manner with the face upward; lying down vigilant adj. alert; watchful