1. Speech at the Virginia Convention
Rhetorical Devices

2. Objectives To analyze what makes an effective argument
To understand how context, audience, and subject affect an argument
To identify and rhetorical devices and how they function in a piece of text

3. Rhetorical Analysis
In order for an argument to be effective, it has to appeal to the audience. Think back to the argument you used to convince your parents to send you on a trip to Costa Rica. What type of appeals did you use?
Facts or statistics?
Your credibility?
Emotion?
What else?

4. Rhetorical Analysis
Aristotle, an ancient Greek philosopher, claimed that there are three appeals to use to create an effective argument:
Ethos - Appeal to character/credibility
Convincing your audience you are reliable and believable
If the audience trusts you, they will be more likely to believe you.
Logos - Appeal to logic and reason
Convincing the audience through the use of logical thought, fact, and rationality
This can “prove” to the audience that your argument is sound
Pathos - Appeal to emotion
Convincing the audience by creating an emotional response in the reader
This can play on the hopes and fears or appeal to the particular beliefs of the audience.

5. Now, let’s look at the specific rhetorical devices Henry uses to craft his argument.
Rhetorical Questions
Asking the audience a question without expecting an answer
Repetition
The repetition of specific words and/or phrases
Allusion
Reference to something from history, literature, politics, sports, science, or art
Metaphor
A figure of speech directly comparing two unlike things

6. Now, let’s look at the specific rhetorical devices Henry uses to craft his argument.
Parallelism
Sentences or phrases that are structured in the same way - often the same words are repeated.
Example: government of the people, by the people, for the people.
Antithesis
Two contrasting ideas are presented, usually in parallel structure.
Example: That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.

7. Now, let’s look at the specific rhetorical devices Henry uses to craft his argument.
Diction
The author’s choice of words
You cannot just say the “author uses diction.” This just means the author uses words.
You must use a modifier when describing diction
Example: powerful, emotional, enthusiastic, negative

8. Rhetorical Analysis
When making an effective argument, one must consider the audience, the time period, and what he or she is trying to achieve. A good speaker/writer will consider all of these elements and mold his/her argument to meet the needs of the audience and the context. (think logos, pathos, ethos) In order to more closely analyze Patrick Henry’s speech and how he crafted his argument, we are going to use a format called SOAPSTone.

9. S O A P Tone S = Speaker Who is delivering or writing the text?
O = Occasion
The time and place of the text. The context that prompted the writing.
A = Audience
The group of readers/listeners to whom the piece is directed.
P = Purpose
Why the author is writing or delivering the text. Usually phrased in an “in order to…” phrase
S = Subject
The central idea of the text
Tone
The writer’s attitude towards the subject S O A P
Tone

10. Speech at the Virginia Convention
Patrick Henry ( )
“The Orator of Liberty”
Lawyer
One of the earliest opponents of British rule in the American colonies
After the revolution, served as governor of Virginia and a state legislator
Virginia Convention – March 20, 1775
British “Intolerable Acts” had been instated
Organized by the Virginia House of Burgesses
George Washington and Thomas Jefferson attended
Purpose: To decide what to do about Britain’s increasing pressures

11. Speech at the Virginia Convention
About the speech:
Many representatives who spoke before Patrick Henry advocated compromise with the British
Henry’s speech encouraged those in attendance to forget negotiation and go to war with England
Right after Henry’s speech the House of Burgesses voted to go to war with England
One month later the Revolutionary War began

12. Audience
Looking at the picture, what can you say about the audience?

13. Let’s Read - Class assignment
We will listen to the speech as a class.
Each member of your group will be responsible for finding examples of rhetorical devices.
Use your assigned color to highlight the examples.
Hearts– green – antithesis and powerful diction
Spades– blue – parallelism and repetition
Clubs – yellow – allusion and metaphor
Diamonds – pink - rhetorical questions and appeals (logos, pathos, ethos)
In addition to highlighting, please label the examples on your speech

14. Class Assignment
After we have finished reading the speech, please complete the chart as a group.
Before you write down the examples from your classmates, please discuss to be sure they are correct examples of the rhetorical terms.
You only need analysis for the FIVE of the devices.
Answer the last question individually.

15. Rhetorical Analysis Prompt
Write an essay in which you analyze the rhetorical strategies Patrick Henry uses to achieve his purpose.

16. The graphic organizer
This graphic organizer will provide you with the textual evidence/analysis necessary to complete your essay:
Specific instances from the text using rhetorical strategies/devices.
The analysis of how these strategies/devices further Henry’s purpose.