1. Find an extract (minimum 20 lines) from a political speech.
2. In terms of the content of composition, list the following elements:
· Social; historical context
· Purpose of the speech
· The intended audience
3. Use the Persuasive Techniques Sheet on the class Moodle to select and evaluate the use of three specific persuasive devices.
4. Consider the context of interpretation in terms of your own response to the speech extract. Why did you choose the speech? What made it effective? Does it hold any relevance in your own life experience?
Blood, Sweat and Tears speech by Sir Winston Churchill
ReplyDeleteMay 13th 1940
The resolution: "That this House welcomes the formation of a government representing the united and inflexible resolve of the nation to prosecute the war with Germany to a victorious conclusion.” To form an administration of this scale and complexity is a serious undertaking in itself. But we are in the preliminary phase of one of the greatest battles in history. We are in action at many other points-in Norway and in Holland-and we have to be prepared in the Mediterranean. The air battle is continuing, and many preparations have to be made here at home. In this crisis I think I may be pardoned if 1 do not address the House at any length today, and I hope that any of my friends and colleagues or former colleagues who are affected by the political reconstruction will make all allowances for any lack of ceremony with which it has been necessary to act. I say to the House as I said to ministers who have joined this government, I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many months of struggle and suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I say it is to wage war by land, sea, and air. War with all our might and with all the strength God has given us, and to wage war against a monstrous tyranny never surpassed in the dark and lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word. It is victory. Victory at all costs - Victory in spite of all terrors - Victory, however long and hard the road may be, for without victory there is no survival. Let that be realized. No survival for the British Empire, no survival for all that the British Empire has stood for, no survival for the urge, the impulse of the ages, that mankind shall move forward toward his goal. I take up my task in buoyancy and hope. I feel sure that our cause will not be suffered to fail among men. I feel entitled at this juncture, at this time, to claim the aid of all and to say, "Come then, let us go forward together with our united strength."
On May 10th 1940 Winston Churchill became Prime Minister. When he met his Cabinet on May 13 he told them "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat." He repeated that phrase later in the day when he asked the House of Commons for a vote of confidence in his new all-party government. The response of Labor was heart-warming, however the Conservative reaction was lacking conviction. Blood, toil, tears, and sweat is a speech given by Winston Churchill to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom on 13 May 1940. Churchill gave three speeches during the period of the battle of France, and this speech was the first one. It came at the beginning of World War II when the armies of Adolf Hitler were barging across Europe looking unstoppable, conquering country after country for Nazi Germany, then the survival of Great Britain itself seemed impossible. The speech was a great inspiration to the embattled United Kingdom after suffering severe setbacks during the early war. This well-known speech by Sir Winston Churchill was famous for its powers of verbal and oral communication. Churchill makes excellent use of the words and language within his speech. The native tongue of Sir Winston Churchill in the speech makes it powerful and relevant to historic occasions.
ReplyDeleteThe speech contains many persuasive devices, however I will only talk about 3 of them:
ReplyDelete1. Fear – In this speech Churchill refers to war, and how it can affect everything around it. Churchill talks about fear of defeat, and how every country needs to be powerful to survive. “for without victory there is no survival. Let that be realized. No survival for the British Empire, no survival for all that the British Empire has stood for, no survival for the urge, the impulse of the ages, that mankind shall move forward toward his goal.” Churchill uses the concept of survival and defeat to convince the British that they need to be more powerful or else they will not survive. By claiming that there is no survival without victory, Churchill creates fear within his audience, and creates the need within them to be victorious.
2. Rhetorical questions – These are set up so that the correct answer is pretty obvious to us. Churchill talks to his people in the speech and outlines his plans and objectives using them. “You ask, what is our policy?” then he specifies the exact policy he wishes to follow, which he claims is the right policy to be followed. He then says “that is our aim.” With great confidence. “You ask, what is our aim?” is another example where Churchill outlines his beliefs and objectives, he claims that his aim should and will create a solution for the losing countries in war that the only way out and only survival technique is actually winning. This convinces all countries that they need to win this war, and this creates inspiration within each individual.
3. Simple solution – The problem at hand is war, and how everyone is being killed and how countries are falling. Churchill proposes a simple solution, a guide to survival if you may. “It is victory. Victory at all costs - Victory in spite of all terrors - Victory, however long and hard the road may be, for without victory there is no survival. Let that be realized. No survival for the British Empire, no survival for all that the British Empire has stood for, no survival for the urge, the impulse of the ages, that mankind shall move forward toward his goal.” As opposed by Churchill, there is one clear simple solution, which is victory. This simple solution makes everything else easier to look at and understand. Victory creates survival, and is the actual only way to survive if you think about it. Staying on top and winning all the time will keep you ahead of everything else.
I only talked about 3 techniques, reading this speech made me realize that there are many more techniques within this speech, and that each technique overlaps the other in some way. This shows that a persuasive speech can be inter-connected with its techniques, and that each technique can represent the other.
ReplyDeleteI chose this speech because Winston Churchill used many different techniques within his speech in a smart and clever way, where he uses all of them at the same time. Churchill made this speech when war was happening, and his speech had one clear solution to the problem each country is facing, which is victory. Churchill did not mention peace and no war as a solution, as this is a more complicated approach and requires the co0operation of all countries. Victory is a possibility and can be achieved independently without the help of any other country, each country can actually create its own victory. Peace on the other hand needs time, and effort to be conducted. So Churchill proposes the clear and easiest solution, as mankind naturally prefers the easiest way since we are lazy creatures. This speech is really important because it was made right after the United Kingdom got defeated, so it creates an inspiration to them to get them back up and running to fight the war. After the United Kingdom got defeated they lost hope and hoped to survive, but Churchill made it clear that survival can only be possible with victory, this makes every British soldier and citizen want to win. This speech also made it clear that losing in war is not acceptable, as it brings many harm and damage to a country. You either damage your enemy, or get damaged. That was Churchill’s picture, so he only believed in victory.
Citation: Churchill, Winston. "Winston Churchill Speech Blood Toil Tears and Sweat." Famous Speeches and Speech Topics. Web. 01 Nov. 2011. .
Friends, Romans,countrymen- Mark Antony
ReplyDeleteWritten in 1599, the Shakespearean play ‘Julius Caesar’ portrays the 44 BC conspiracy against the Roman Dictator. At the time, the play reflected the general anxiety of England over the succession of leadership from Elizabeth 1. Her refusal to name a successor led to worries of a civil war, similar to the Roman one, breaking out. Mark Antony delivered his famous speech ‘Friends, Romans, countrymen’ to avenge the murder of Julius Caesar, by gaining public support, under the guise of ‘mourning his death.’ Mark Antony sought to provoke public sympathy using the rhetoric devices of irony and repetition, both of which add to the emotional appeal of the speech.
Although a great orator, Antony was not faced with an easy task. He was permitted an audience only after agreeing to the conditions of the conspirators. He was not allowed to condemn the conspirators and could speak after Brutus had addressed the public. Through this arrangement, Antony benefited by having the last word. While Brutus began by saying “Romans, countrymen..”, Antony skillfully rearranged Brutus’ words to begin with “Friends, Romans, countrymen.” Thus he very cleverly used pathos to disarm a crowd already on Brutus’ side. He further mollifies the crowd by saying, “I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.” This is ironic because praising Caesar is exactly what he is there for and ends up doing. In fact, he starts exalting Caesar in the fourth line itself (“The good is oft interred with their bones”).
Irony is linked with repetition in the speech. With every mention of Brutus’s claim that Caesar was ambitious, the claim loses force and credibility. Each time Antony calls Brutus honorable, the phrase gains an increasingly sarcastic tone. The sarcasm allows the audience to listen to what he is not saying, but implying. Antony uses this opportunity to elevate Caesar’s name. When he says that Caesar “was his friend, faithful and just” to him, Antony’s love for Caesar is evident. This is an emotion with which the audience can identify, especially after he reminds them of Caesar’s good deeds and the love they once had for him.
Thus, Antony successfully manages to undermine the conspirators, even while he appears deferential to them. He also presents clear evidence that supports his argument (that Caesar was not ambitious), when he talks about the crown on Lupercal. His reasoning was that if Caesar was thirsting for power he would not have refused the crown thrice. Therefore, contradictory to what Brutus said, Antony implied that there was no need to murder Caesar. With each argument he puts forward, he concludes with a rhetorical question on the lines of : “Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?” This allow the audience to reflect and understand Antony’s thoughts, without him defying the conditions of the conspirators.
Finally, Antony concludes by shaming the audience (“O judgement! Thou art fled to brutish beast, and men have lost their reason”). Through this personification, he indicates that Romans have been brainwashed by the conspirators and have been acting without thinking. He then abruptly stops, presumably from being overwhelmed by emotion. Antony’s cleverly timed emoting sets up for a dramatic pause, to give himself and the crowd a brief respite.
Consequently, the success of the speech was largely due to Antony’s charisma. This was the main reason why I chose this speech. I heard it in the 1953 movie version of the play, where Marlon Brando played Antony. I was simply captivated by the confidence and passion with which he performed. My curiosity made me want to study the play and learn more about it. Although the speech does not really relate to any current affairs, it teaches us to use our logic and to think before we act. Hence, for the message it spreads and it’s brilliance as a literary work, this speech will remain in the hearts of the people forever.
http://www.famous-speeches-and-speech-topics.info/famous-short-speeches/
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jfkinaugural.htm
ReplyDeleteIn terms of the content of composition, list the following elements:
Social; historical context
John Kennedy was elected as a democratic candidate for the presidency in the 1960 during the presidential nomination.John Kennedy was born in Brookline and was the first Roman Catholic president which is believed that this was an important factor in the defeat of Al Smith in 1928, John Kennedy resolved the issue of religious bigotry by attacking religious bigotry and clarifying how he believed in the absolute separation of church and state.
John F Kennedy was elected to the senate in 1952.
Kennedy was a powerful promoter of social welfare and civil rights legislation in the senate. He also sponsored bills for supplying Federal financial aid to education, liberalizing United States immigration laws and a measure that required full disclosure of all employee pension and welfare funds.
Kennedy began collecting thoughts and insights for his inauguration speech in late november 1960. Suggestions were made from various people such as but not limited to councilors and friends. Kennedy then made several drafts using his own thoughts and ideas. The speech was finalized and presented in January, 20th, 1961.
John kennedy as mentioned was elected to be president of the United states in 1960 he then gave his speech in titled “Inaugural address” in 1961 to introduce a new beginning. John Kennedy gained the trust of his nation but in his speech he is trying to reassure the public that he is aware of the issues and is attempting to solve them in the ways that seemed possible. In this speech he proclaims indirectly that they made the right choice by electing him to be the democratic candidate and that this will only benefit them.
Purpose of the speech
ReplyDeleteBy just interpreting the name of the speech “Inaugural address” we are able to get an idea of what the objective of this speech may be, inaugural is essentially the marking of a new beginning its another term used to refer to a start or an opining. “Inaugural address is a formal ceremony to identify a beginning of a leaders term of office. From the title we understand that he is giving an opining speech as to what will be done and basically give an introduction for future plans.The main purpose of this speech is to reassure the citizens of the United states that they made the right choice by electing him to be the democratic candidate for the presidency. Throughout his speech he is trying to gain the audiences trust by making promises and ensuring that he is capable of abolishing the issues stated in the speech. He is also acting as a role model to those who are from the younger generation since they are the future and is enlightening them with the issues and possibilities that could happen also to make the them keep electing him as president since they will be sticking around longer.
The intended audience
Elaborating on a quote that was not included in the 20 lines above but is still fundamental in my point of view "Ask not what your country can do for you, but rather what you can do for your country." Here Kennedy challenges the people of the United States and urges the young generation or the young people to act upon helping an aiding those countries who are less economically developed and are struggling. He declares the establishment of the peace crops, a plan that will strive to send 10,000 young people to serve in places such as Africa,Asia and Latin America.
Kennedy claims that this "practical, inexpensive, person-to-person program will plant trust, good will and a capacity for self-help" in the underdeveloped world.
Kennedy's speech had a substantial affect on many young Americans. Looking at the speech Kennedy kept referring to the future, quoting from the speech "Let the word go forth from this time and place" words like go forth and from this time were used to clarify that we are not looking back at the past but we are making a difference and we call upon change. To further emphasize Kennedy is somehow trying to enlighten the younger generation by making them aware of pressing issues that are taking place not only in their country but globally, also aiming to create an understanding of the world we are living in for them to be able in the future and now to grasp the extensive rules,regulations and guidelines of life that will enable them to establish a plan from now that will aid in securing and protecting there selves in times of conflict and war.
Use the Persuasive Techniques Sheet on the class Moodle to select and evaluate the use of three specific persuasive devices.
ReplyDeleteExplicit claims: The first evident persuasive device Kennedy uses in his astonishing speech is “Explicit claims”, this device is seen mainly through advertisement but also can be identified in some speeches for instance the speech stated above. Kennedy uses personal pronouns like “we” to gain the audiences trust. Due to the fact that Kennedy just got elected before making his speech his main objective was to gain trust and certainty, he clearly states “The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life.” So basically he is assuring people that poverty will be taken care of and will end. Words like “all” and “abolish” are strong terms that help reflect kennedy’s abilities and what he promises his country. The term all is an adjective used to refer to a whole quantity which as a consequence means he is promising his country and others a huge commitment in aiding and helping poverty. On the other hand the expression “abolish” is giving a positive vibe to the audience since this issue will be formally ended and therefore the audience will trust Kennedy's abilities and potentials to take action and solve these crucial cases.
Fear: Fear is the “opposite of the Association technique.” The word fear alludes to an unpleasant emotion caused by beliefs of a person, so technically its the emotional appeal (Pathos) that a person creates by the way a speech is structured and the use of words to acknowledge different things. In addition to it conveys the negative side and informs people about the bad causes to promote a solution. This could be seen in the speech referencing the same quote stated previously “The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe -- the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.” Kennedy is convinced that he has the power to destroy all kinds of poverty and is indirectly promoting a solution that will abolish all kinds of poverty, this solution is him. Throughout the speech Kennedy’s objective is to gain the listeners trust and to encourage people to support him which implies that he is attempting to initiate a publicity base.
Repetition is a technique that many advertisers and speech promoters use to emphasize on a certain point. This technique is the most apparent when looking at various political speeches but when looking at this particular speech he is re-phrasing things to reinforce on the same point but from different perspectives or angles, for instance in some parts of the speech Kennedy clarifies different issues such as poverty and war but assures the abolishments of all issues and portrays his potentials and capabilities to do so. Another repetition recognized is the use of the word we and let. quoting from the speech kennedy speaks "We observe today not a victory of party", "We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution" Kennedy keeps referring to him self as well as the people by using personal pronounce and makes the audience believe that this is right we believe in the same thing, but in these two quotes selected he is forcing them to not forget that they are the heirs of that first revolution and that this should not be forgotten or neglected. Examining the speech further Kennedy uses the word let constantly when looking at the speech as a whole, reciting from Kennedy's speech " Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans -- born in this century", "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty." The word let touches upon the fact that there is no preventions and when Kennedy says let the word go forth from this time on he is saying that this word wont stop here but will be taken to the next generation or even through his actions people will acknowledge or make reference to this particular speech. The second quote extracted from the speech is saying that we will pay any price and we will do what it takes to affirm the survival and success of liberty. Another statement or phrase that is prominent through the speech when looking at it as a whole not from the 20 lines is "to those" he keeps making references to various thing that he finds appealing to the intended audience or to the targeted audience. He uses this phrase to grab not just the american audiences attention but the whole world or countries that find this speech relatable.
ReplyDeleteConsider the context of interpretation in terms of your own response to the speech extract. Why did you choose the speech? What made it effective? Does it hold any relevance in your own life experience?
ReplyDeleteI chose this speech since I found it interesting how politicians tend to promote and encourage people to either compromise on a solution or promote their selves. The rhetorical techniques pathos, ethos and logos can not only be seen in various forms of advertisement but also in political speeches. I selected this speech since Kennedy is known to be an excellent speaker, and while looking at various speeches this speech stood out the most because of the emotional atmosphere its creating and because of the diction used in the speech. As mentioned previously John Kennedy is a powerful orator which made the speech effective, his body language and the topic he is discussing all added up to determine how effective his speech was. His tone along with facial expression and hand gestures engaged the audience in addition to eye contact played a bog role in sending his message across as he seems determined and committed and that could be seen through his eyes. Despite the fact that he is a strong orator he made references to issues that are appealing to a wide range of people like poverty and also another strong acknowledgment made is that he is reflecting it on his religion and his strong belief in god, which is also appealing to various people from diverse backgrounds. In term of life experience I don't think this is relevant to me as Qatar is not a democratic country and I lived here my whole life. But when speaking about enlightening and making people aware of issues this reflects to me in a way due to my participation in MUN which was how I gained knowledge and understanding of various global issues yet the method is different in how the facts are learnt and enlightened between the way Kennedy is indirectly informing the young generation about the issues and how I broadened my mind on issues studied.
Bibliography:
ReplyDelete[1] The speech http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jfkinaugural.htm
[2] "Inaugural Address of John F. Kennedy." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. .
[3] "John F. Kennedy : Biography." Spartacus Educational. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. .
[4]"US History: Politics of the 1960's." US History: 1950-1975. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. .
[5]"Inauguration." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. .
http://pineappleness.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeletethe only post on the blog is the worksheet
Sarah