1. Henry and Franklin Speeches
Speech in the Virginia Convention
Speech in the Convention

2. Literary Analysis
Speeches are written works that are delivered orally. Speakers will use the three was of persuasion (ethos, pathos, logos) along with other techniques:
Restatement
Repetition
Parallelism
Rhetorical Questions

3. Restatement Repeating an idea in a variety of ways.
Emphasizing the need to go to war over and over in a speech

4. Repetition Restating an idea using the same words
I HAVE A DREAM, I HAVE A DREAM

5. Parallelism Repeating grammatical structures
Similarity of strucuture in a pair of series of related words. Nouns listed with other nouns, ‘ing’ with ‘ing’…etc.

6. Rhetorical Question Asking a question whose answer is self-evident
The author wants the audience to answer on their own and think about his point that he is trying to make.
The author should have persuaded the audience so that they agree with his ideas and can answer the questions based off of them

7. Speech in the Virginia Convention
In this speech, delivered in 1775 (Age of Reason!), Patrick Henry publicly denounces the British king and urges the colonists to fight for independence. Making such a declaration took tremendous bravery. England was the world’s most powerful country at the time, and the odds against the colonists were overwhelming. If the colonies had failed to win independence Henry could have been executed for treason.
The Virginia Conventions were a series of five political meetings during the American Revolution.
This speech was given at the second convention.
The fifth convention is where they declared independence.
Speech in the Virginia Convention
Patrick Henry
Page

8. Technique Henry Franklin
Patrick Henry and Benjamin Franklin use the same techniques, but the effects of their speeches are quite different. Copy the chart below and give one example of each oratorical technique from their speeches. If you can’t find an example, write “None.”
Technique
Henry
Franklin
Repetition – Restating an idea using the same words
Restatement – Repeating an idea in a variety of ways
Parallelism – Repeating grammatical structures
Rhetorical Questions – Asking a question whose answer is self-evident

9. Questions
Chart
Which part of rhetorical persuasion does Henry use in his speech?
Who was Henry’s audience and for what purpose was he addressing them?
What is the ethos of Henry’s persona? How does he portray himself in this rhetorical situation for their audience?
How would you describe the oratorical style of Henry?

10. Speech in the Convention
One of the most controversial issues, State's representation, could have nullified the agreement for the Constitution of the United States of America. Tempers flared and interests clashed as the delegates sought their respective goals. It was within this dilemma of disagreements that the elder statesman, Benjamin Franklin, offered his famous appeal for harmony and reunion.
The Virginia Conventions were a series of five political meetings during the American Revolution.
This speech was delivered in 1787 (Age of Reason!) given at the fifth convention, where they declared independence.
Speech in the Convention
Benjamin Franklin
Page

11. Technique Henry Franklin
Patrick Henry and Benjamin Franklin use the same techniques, but the effects of their speeches are quite different. Copy the chart below and give one example of each oratorical technique from their speeches. If you can’t find an example, write “None.”
Technique
Henry
Franklin
Repetition – Restating an idea using the same words
Restatement – Repeating an idea in a variety of ways
Parallelism – Repeating grammatical structures
Rhetorical Questions – Asking a question whose answer is self-evident

12. Questions
1) Chart
2) Which part of rhetorical persuasion does Franklin use in his speech?
3) What is Henry demanding in his speech?
4) Who is the intended audience in Henry’s speech?
5) What might Franklin need to change in his speech if the audience was the nation?
6) What is the ethos of Franklin’s persona? How does he portray himself in this rhetorical situation for his audience?
7) How would you describe Franklin’s oratorical style?
8) Imagine yourself sitting in the audience when these speeches were given. In your opinion, which speaker would have persuaded you more? Why?