A Lesson in Persuasion - The Speech
The website American Rhetoric – Top 100 Speeches provides us with audio and print for some of the most persuasive speeches in American history. Among those speeches there are some that have had universal impact, because they have inspired lives and brought civil liberties to all corners of the world.
As we browse the speeches we ask ourselves: Which one of the 100 speeches would make the most impact on a particular student or set of students we can think of, and why? What language elements would we guide this student or group to notice in this particular speech? What would the purpose be ... the setting ... the audience? The triumphant speech of the captain of the football team after the intercol game? The acceptance speech of the winner of Mr. Personality of the Year at your annual school pageant? Leading the school Monday morning assembly? The valedictory address?
We also think of objectives for language lessons to teach this brand of rhetoric, as we examine both the audio and print resources we have readily at hand.
The website American Rhetoric – Top 100 Speeches provides us with audio and print for some of the most persuasive speeches in American history. Among those speeches there are some that have had universal impact, because they have inspired lives and brought civil liberties to all corners of the world.
As we browse the speeches we ask ourselves: Which one of the 100 speeches would make the most impact on a particular student or set of students we can think of, and why? What language elements would we guide this student or group to notice in this particular speech? What would the purpose be ... the setting ... the audience? The triumphant speech of the captain of the football team after the intercol game? The acceptance speech of the winner of Mr. Personality of the Year at your annual school pageant? Leading the school Monday morning assembly? The valedictory address?
We also think of objectives for language lessons to teach this brand of rhetoric, as we examine both the audio and print resources we have readily at hand.
posted by Cynthia James | 5:11 AM
4 Comments:
Thank you for the web site. It would be an excellent supplement to use in Communication Studies particularly the Internal assessment where part of the students' exams would involve a speech.
I found that speeches by Malcolm X and Dr King equally riveting. However, in terms of analysing language elements, I would use the "I have a Dream" speech by Martin Luther King. This would make an impact on my students since the present American culture has a growing impact on Trindadian youths especially through Black music (R&B and rap). They would have already known the name of the speaker and this pre-knowledge will facilitate further interest. While the content of the speech is inspiring to youths to overcome obstacles, the elements of persuasive orating are varied.
Some language elements which I would draw to my students' attention would be the use of history that creates a scene/ picture in the minds of the audience; Quotations from popular sources such as the constitution and spiritual songs; use of the first person ("I" and "we") to promote familiarity and maintain interest; and repetition of key phrases (to build tension and climax).
As mentioned, these techniques can be utilised in CAPE Communication Studies, class debates and motivational speeches when different classes must convince the school body to patronize a fund raising event for charity (which is part of the annual school activities)
the formal structures of argument and or persuasive presentation can vary greatly according to the intention of the presenter. if one wants to infuriate an audience he may choose to state the conclusion first thereby showing the end result of the issue that he means to discuss or he can do as dr. king did and begin his presentation at the 'beginning' with an overview of the issue. both methods are effective however there is a crisis situation that the speaker will encounter with the first method particularly when the issue is such an emotionally charged one; the risk is that the listener, because of the strong emotional content, will not follow the logic of the discourse but rather be suspended in the first thought given by the speaker. dr. king's intention is not to create a sense of blind fury but to carry the listener along his mental wavelength appealing to the listener's logic primarily rather than emotion. king's method would have a longer lasting meaning and sustainability because he chose to validate the issue in the minds of the listener first than to buy in to and create a mob culture.
the implications pertaining to the instruction of english are clear. the students feel the stagnation of pen and paper but when there can be a delivered audio version of an argument or persuasive piece the english class gains greater more realistic significance when the language becomes alive and it has purpose.
apart from structure there are numerous metaphors that are appropriately used. one such is found early on in his speech; 'the red beacon light of hope.' the intensity of the passion that his struggle entails is well captured and it resounds through time with its universality of meaning.
thank for the direction dr. james i will follow this up.
I found Dr. King's 'i have a dream' to be most useful to my students who are exposed to many of America's icons because of television. they may not be familar with the speech's cultural or historical setting but it can be used to illustrate the usages of language for different purposes and in particular setting.the speech can also be used for a lesson on persuasive language and techniques used.
The speech by Mary Fisher at the Republican Convention in 1992, captured my interest, as it demonstrated the all encompassing use of Emotive Language.The heart is always a factor to consider when one wants to reach across audiences.Here, the call to stop the killer virus HIV/AIDS from destroying the remainder of mankind is urgent.The tone is one of regret that there is no solution despite the support of family and friends.As the speech progresses there is the underlying political support for Mr. Bush and family.Yet the appeal travels across every barrier of class, culture, creed and ethnic group.
The use of familiar metaphorical images helps this speech to affect all ages and levels.I would be able to accentuate the use of persuasion at the forth to fith form level after reading this speech.The students to whom this is directed would easily identify the concerns and view the close proximity of this disease in their communities as they would be aware of some one close to their vicinity who is affected.Emotive Language uses figures of speech to sway one's opinions.The vivid personifications, metaphors and overall imagery that pull at one's heart and mind are effective,here.
As there is the immediacy along with the urgency of this topic there is interest generated by the entire community.I envisage the celebration of "Health Awareness Week-Youth Seminar " in the country. The Student Council Body chooses a speaker who is articulate with her material as she is unfortunately an HIV/AIDS victim, even though she is only eighteen years old.At such a forum I can imagine the effect of such a discourse on the parents, the students, the community including business owners and higher level professionals who would all be invited.Students ,who have seen and experienced the death of friends, neighbours and relatives would understand on a deepeer level.
There is the lesson that I could demonstrate to students that can make an irreversible mark. I would point to the simplicity of the language that is used and the extent of its effectiveness. There are no high flown expressions nor unknown sayingsincluded in this speech.Yet it achieves its goals which are to touch hearts enough to embrace change in attitudes towards victims, whether they are African American babies,homosexual men, or white middle/upper class wives and mothers. This extends to the global and the national community, the specific neighbourhoods in which we all live. The reality of this rhetoric is is geared to reinforce character building in all exposed to it therefore engendering change in attitudes and in action towards necessary issues.
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