Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death Speech

Objectives: Analyze a persuasive speech for its effectiveness in terms of rhetorical devices: ethos, logos, pathos Understand the historical context of the speech in terms of audience appeal. Identify and explain figurative language and rhetorical devices: hyperbole, repetition, metaphor, anaphora, simile, irony, paradox etc. in terms of effectiveness. Select a famous persuasive speech to analyze. Needs to be 5 minutes There are several places to find them: The American Rhetoric, The History Place, Britain’s Guardian Unlimited, http://www.historychannel.com/speeches/archive1.html (type in persuasive speeches) http://www.onlineuniversities.com/blog/2010/04/50-incredible-historical-speeches/famous You may use a TED talk, but it has to be persuasive (has to mention a specific action step and be at least 5 minutes in length. There are some but overdone speeches that are deliberately not included on the list: I Have a Dream speech, John Kennedy’s Inaugural Speech, Nixon’s “Checkers” speech, FDR’s Declaration of War speech. Check with me when you choose your speech. I don’t want duplicates or worn out ones. You will have to get another speech if it is inspirational or less than 5 minutes. Listen (has to be a copy of the recorded speech) to the speech several times and print off a copy of the speech. Then answer the following questions in paragraph form. This is a formal paper. Only use third person, unless otherwise indicated. Use a heading and a header. Double space. Introduction and conclusion, Historical perspective: Look at the background history of the speech 10 pts What was the speaker up against? What is the occasion of the speech? What did the author have to keep in mind when composing the text? Who was the audience? Was the audience positive, neutral, hostile? What was his or her ultimate purpose or goal? What was the call to action he wants his audience to take? What kind of organizational pattern is used? Check Chpt. 16 and your notes on the organization pattern if you need further details. 10 pts Explain the main points of the speech Give an example of ethos, logos, pathos supporting one of the main points. They do not have to come from the same section. Just oneexample of each of the three. Explain how or why it is effective (assuming it is). How does the speaker address opposing arguments/ideas/organizations? What kind of attention getter is used? List the specific type. How/ Why is this effective to gain the attention of the audience? 5 pts. Look at the specific text choices. Choose three lines that stick out to you. Choose examples of figurative language and rhetorical devices (see handout for devices). Choose at least three and explain their importance/significance of the lines in the context of persuading the audience. 15 pts. Why is this a remarkable speech? In order words, why did it endure the test of time, long after the event has happened? 5 pts. 8. Analyze the delivery of the speech. Primarily spend time analyzing how it is delivered in terms of voice. 10 pts. a. Where do you hear inflection and intonation of his/her voice? This will come from your recording. b. What words, phrases are particularly effective in how they are delivered? c. How does the speaker use pause effectively? d. What else do you notice about the delivery? Eye contact? Posture? Gestures? Grammar, usage, mechanics Typed, double spaced, header, heading, 12 pt. 5 pts. I will attach a link that will be helpful for information as well as have a link for the audio portion of the assignment. https://www.history.org/almanack/life/politics/giveme.cfm