Monday September 28

Please remember that vocabulary 2 is due this Friday, October 2. You may turn it in early, but send along the responses if you are out.

We are looking at the techniques employed by Patrick Henry in his speech to the Virginia Convention. You will receive a copy in class for you to mark up as needed, but there is a copy posted last Thursday, as well. As Ms. Anderson is working with you folks on the poetry of Phyllis Wheatley on this Tuesday and Thursday- and there is a counselor review for the PSAT that will take place in a fortnight this Wednesday- most of the Patrick Henry material is independent work or homework.

Speech notes: the speech is a model of how to employ three rhetorical devices to persuade an audience of your point: ethos, logos and pathos. In short, these are language techniques that use ethics, logic or emotion to move a listener or reader to your cause.
Familarize yourself with the following for a test on Friday.

Logos, Ethos and Pathos
Whenever you read an argument you must ask yourself, "is this persuasive? And if so, to whom?" There are seveal ways to appeal to an audience. Among them are appealing to logos, ethos and pathos. These appeals are prevalent in almost all arguments.

a. To appeal to LOGIC, use the following.

Theoretical, abstract language
Denotative meanings/reasons
Literal and historical analogies
Definitions
Factual data and statistics
Quotations
Citations from experts and authorities
Informed opinions

b. To develop ETHOS, use the following:

Language appropriate to audience and subject
Restrained, sincere, fair minded presentation
Appropriate level of vocabulary
Correct grammar

c. To appeal to pathos or emotion, use the following:

Vivid, concrete language
Emotionally loaded language
Connotative meanings
Emotional examples
Vivid descriptions
Narratives of emotional events
Emotional tone
Figurative language

SUMMARY INFORMATION:
1. Vocabulary due Friday
2. Test on the Patrick Henry's Speech on Friday. Be able to identify the three rhetorical devices he uses within the speech. Prepare ahead and this is easy - no surprises.
3. Analysis worksheet on his speech due on Friday. This is your week's homework. If you misplace the class handout, there is a copy below entitled

Accompanying work for Patrick Henry’s Speech in the Virginia Convention
Please write out your responses on a separate sheet of paper. DUE FRIDAY OCTOBER 2

Recalling: (USE TEXTUAL EVIDENCE FOR YOUR RESPONSES)

1. What comment does Henry make about the delegates who have just addressed the
House?

2. What does Henry say he would be guilty of if he holds back his opinion?

3. How does Henry say that he judges the future?

4. (a) What does Henry say is the reason for the British military build-up in
America? (b) What course of action must the colonials take?

5. What does Henry say “the next gale that sweeps from the north” will bring?

6. To what does Henry compare the colonists’ situation?

Interpreting:

7. Why do you think Henry begins his speech by stating the opinions of the
previous speakers?
8. Why does Henry believe that compromise with the British is not a workable
solution?
9. How does Henry answer the objection that the colonists are not ready to
fight?

Recognizing Oratory:

Oratory is the art of formal public speaking. A skilled orator uses such devices
as rhetorical questions, restatement, repetition and parallelism to emphasize
points. For example, Henry uses resteent in his speech, repeating his
declaration, “We must fight!”

10. (a) Find one instance where Henry answers a possible objection to his
argument with a series of rhetorical questions. (b) What purpose does this
series of questions serve?
11. List two ideas that Henry repeats, using different words.
12. Find one example of parallelism.

An effective orator may use a number of persuasive techniques to try to convince
an audience to think or act in a certain way. For example, Patrick Henry uses a
blend of logical arguments and emotional appeals in his speech.
13 Considering the purpose of Henry’s speech, why do you feel these two
techniques were appropriate.
14. Why do you think Henry chose to end his speech with an emotional appeal?