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Essential Question:
Essential Question:
What is Rhetoric?
What is Rhetoric?
Our third unit will focus on the art of public speaking, a skill that is sure to be important in your future as a student, and in your later career.
You may be asking yourself, as today's essential question indicates, "What is Rhetoric?" To answer in the simplest terms, we can look at the definition of the word, as provided by Merriam-Webster:
Definition of rhetoric
1 : the art of speaking or writing effectively: such as
a : the study of principles and rules of composition formulated by critics of ancient times
b : the study of writing or speaking as a means of communication or persuasion
2 a : skill in the effective use of speech
b : a type or mode of language or speech
also : insincere or grandiloquent language
3 : verbal communication : DISCOURSE
Of course, a definition on it's own hardly touches this topic. Over the course of this unit, we will look careful at how the structure of a speech, and it' s delivery, can have a powerful effect on an audience. We will examine effective rhetorical devices, and see how they have been used in real speeches throughout history.
Key Terms
Key Terms
Rhetoric
Rhetorical Device
Rhetorical Devices
Rhetorical Devices
For the purpose of today's lesson, we will use Winston Churchill as an example and type of case study. Churchill was the Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1940-1945 and again from 1951-1955. During these period he became well known for his abilities as a public speaker, and it was these speeches, along with his writing of detailed history books, that earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953.
Many of Churchill's speeches make use of rhetorical devices, turns of phrase often used to persuade an audience or evoke emotions. To begin we will review a few of these devices, along with examples drawn of a few of Churchill's actual speeches.
Begin by reading this article. Then try to remember if you've heard these devices used in other speeches, or if you've seen them used in books or poems. You can also try to compose a few sentences using the devices, or when/why you would put them to use.
Activity: Analyzing a Speech
Activity: Analyzing a Speech
Your task today will be to analyze a speech delivered by Winston Churchill memorializing King George VI, who had recently passed away. We will examine the speech in two ways. First, we will analyze the written speech, looking for examples of rhetorical devices and poetic language. Consider how these flourishes help the speech stand out, while still conveying the speaker's message.
After reading and analyzing the written word, take a few minutes to listen to the speech as it was first delivered.
The Original Recording
The Original Recording
After completing the analysis of the written speech take a few minutes to listen to the original recording (from 1952, so the quality is slightly compromised, though the language is clear).
After listening, write a short paragraph in which you explain how Churchill's delivery of the speech affects your understanding of the words themselves.
Now it's time to put what you've learned into action.
Now it's time to put what you've learned into action.
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