1. Public speaking: Rhetorical Devices

2. Why do we make speeches?
Our primary purpose when making a speech is to engage the audience and to persuade them to listen to and agree with what we say.
In order to do this effectively, we can use rhetorical devices.
Rhetorical devices are the nuts and bolts of speech and writing; the parts that make a communication work. Separately, each part of is meaningless, but once put together they create a powerful effect on the listener/reader.

3. Hypophora and rhetorical question
A common technique is to start a speech with a hypophora, in which the speaker first asks a question and then answers it.
What is an authentic discovery? For a discovery to be authentic, it must have a profound impact on the individual who makes it.
Another good device to use during a speech is a rhetorical question, in which the speaker asks a question to make the audience reflect. This can also be used to organise your speech, making the listener focus on a particular topic/issue.
But, I ask, what is an authentic discovery?

4. Anaphora and Epistrophe
Anaphora is a type of repetition where we repeat a word or a phrase at the beginning of a sentence or a clause.
Discoveries can make an individual grow, discoveries can make an individual mature, discoveries can make an individual stronger.
Epistrophe is another type of repetition in which a word or a phrase is repeated at the end of a sentence or clause.
Guevara’s discovery at Chuquicamata leads to an epiphany. The result of his work at the leper colonies leads to an epiphany. And his time at the Incan ruins causes him to have an epiphany.

5. Tricolon – the Rule of three
A tricolon is a list of three words or phrases, or a sentence in which there are three parts or clauses. The cumulative effect of three has a powerful effect on an audience.
Physical discoveries enable an individual to learn, grow and mature.
Guevara has empathy for the disenfranchised Indigenous population, he has empathy for those living in poverty and he has empathy for the lepers at the leper colonies.

6. Direct Address
Speaking directly to the audience should be done sparingly in a formal analytical speech, but when done properly, it can be a powerful tool in engaging the audience. Make sure you use the word ‘you’ and maintain eye-contact with the audience while you are using direct address.
If you witnessed the same exploitation and suffering as Guevara did, surely you would also be moved to fight for the rights of the proletariat.

7. procatalepsis
In order to use procatalepsis, we must state a rebuttal to our argument before we tell the audience our own argument. By doing this, the speaker acknowledges that there is an opposing point of view, however, by refuting it they are persuading the audience that their argument is stronger.
There is an argument that a real discovery has to be large, emotionally or physically significant or that it needs to move or reshape an individual in a major way. However, small discoveries are just as important and they can build up over time to a larger discover. We must not discount these small discoveries.

8. Varying Sentence lengths and pauses
Varying the length of your sentences is always a good way to strengthen any writing style, be it speech writing or essays. It will help to engage the audience, especially when you take a deliberate pause after a short sentence.
Guevara witnesses the horrific working conditions of the workers at the Chuquicamata mine and it makes him angry at the way foreign corporations are exploiting the proletariat of Latin America. The way it is killing them. The way the corporations are profiting from it.

9. High Modality and Active Voice
In order to persuade the audience to listen to us and agree with us, we must present our information as fact and use high modality statements and active voice.
When we use high modality, we choose words that show we are certain. When we use low modality, we choose words that show uncertainty.
Active voice describes a sentence where the subject performs the action stated by the verb.  In passive voice sentences, the subject is acted upon by the verb. For example:
Harry ate six shrimp at dinner. (active) At dinner, six shrimp were eaten by Harry. (passive)

10. High Modality and Active Voice
Compare the two sentences:
The process of discovery could allow individuals to adopt new values. In ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’, Guevara is perhaps changed by his journey of discovery as his values are somewhat altered. Guevara was able to develop new perspectives on social and political injustice.
Individuals adopt new values when they undertake the process of discovery. In ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’, Guevara undertakes a journey of discovery that significantly alters his values, allowing him to develop new perspectives on social and political injustice.

11. Words That Compare correspondingly likewise just as like in comparison
to compare
is similar
in the same way
in addition
correspondingly
just as
comparatively
_____ is comparable
compared to ______
similarly
both

12. Words That Contrast in contrast on the contrary although even though
however
on the other hand
as opposed to
whereas
unlike
in spite of
_____ is different to
_____ differs from
alternatively
conversely