English 10: Summer Reading
Objective: Students will be able to analyze two speeches for use of effective rhetoric.
Students must choose two of the following speeches:
(All speeches are available at http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speechbank.htm)
“I Have a Dream” -Martin Luther King, Jr.
Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster Address – Ronald Reagan
9/11 Address to the Nation -George Bush
“We Are Virginia Tech” - Nikki Giovanni
Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Address -Ryne D. Sandberg
ASSIGNMENT:
Read two of the speeches listed. After reading the speech, complete the chart identifying the rhetorical devices
that have been used. In your opinion, determine whether the use of the rhetorical device makes the speech effective.
Rhetorical Terms:
Juxtaposition - an act or instance of placing things close together or side by side, especially for comparison or
contrast.
Irony – the implied difference between what is said and what is meant. There are three kinds:
Situational irony – the discrepancy between the expected result and the actual result (Ex. The smartest
kid in the class is the only kid who doesn’t pass an exam. This is the opposite of what you would expect
to happen.)
Dramatic irony – when the audience knows something that a character does not (Ex. In a horror movie,
the audience knows that the killer is in the closet, but the girl in the movie does not.)
Verbal irony – when you say one thing, but mean another (Ex. Sarcasm)
Simile – a comparison of two unlike things using the words “like” or “as.”
Metaphor – a comparison of two unlike things not using the words “like” or “as.”
Allusion – a reference to a famous person, place, event, text
Hyperbole – a huge exaggeration
Symbol – something that represents something other than itself (Ex. A heart symbolizes love, birds can
represent freedom)
Syntax – sentence structure; the order of words in a sentence, and their grammatical rules
Tone – the author’s attitude; can be described with an adjective (Ex. angry, passionate, depressed, excited,
objective, subjective, happy, etc.)
Audience – in literature, the people who will read the text
Persuasive appeals
Ethos – appeal to the ethics (morals and values) of the speaker; establishes the speaker’s reputation and
credibility
Pathos – an appeal to the emotions of the audience
Logos – an appeal to logic or reason
Persuasive techniques
Direct address - calling out a member or members of the audience directly
Expert testimony - citing the work of those who have experience in the field
Historical allusion – referring to a historical event to support a position
Parallelism – a repetition of phrases, sentences, or ideas using an identical format
Personal Experience – using the experiences of others or oneself as evidence
Repetition – repeating a word or phrase to emphasize a point or idea
Refutation (Counter argument) – the argument that goes against yours, or disproves your argument
SAMPLE SPEECH
Speech: _______________________________________________________
Purpose of the Speech:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Rhetorical Device
Quotation from Speech
How does this device make the speech effective?
Name: ____________________________________________
English 10
Summer Reading: 2011
Due Date: Monday, August 29, 2011
Deadline Date:
Speech # 1:
_______________________________________________________
Purpose of the Speech:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Rhetorical Device
Quotation from Speech
How does this device make the speech effective?
Speech # 2:
_______________________________________________________
Purpose of the Speech:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Rhetorical Device
Quotation from Speech
How does this device make the speech effective?
Assignment: When you return to school in the fall, each 10 th grade student will be asked to write an essay arguing
which speech is more effective. Within your essay, you will need to support your argument with FOUR concrete
examples from the speech. You will be able to use your “Summer Reading: 2011” capture sheet to help you integrate
examples into your essay.