Defining "Rhetoric"
_Ok, so we can define voice. We're starting to understand what makes it distinctive. We have seen how it can be powerful enough to create, improve or crush worlds. But remember our word cloud from the syllabus section?The
_main focus of the unit is LANGUAGE. SO! What language
do good speeches have that help in creating distinctive voices and can
be powerful enough to force change in others? The answer is rhetoric. So, what is it? And how can we identify, quanitfy and understand it?
Firstly, let's look at the form and structure of speeches. This is important because the prescribed texts for this module are six speeches; all powerful in their own way. A speech is a very carefully constructed form of communication. What may seem spur of the moment is in fact highly polished, rehearsed and even sometimes written by teams of speech writers. Obviously there are speeches for a whole range of reasons. The contextual features of speaker, audience and purpose have enormous impact on what is said, how it is said and what |
theatrical qualities (things like pauses, gesture, tonal changes) should be employed. You see:
Purpose - The motivation behind the speech. This can be political, spiritual, educational, propagandist, genderist, or even to challege.
Audience - The intended target audience. You should also take into account if it is meant to be presented in front of an actual audience or if it is meant to be broadcast on television or radio.
Register - The types of language features and stylistic choices that have been informed by both purpose and audience. This includes tone, formality of language, emphasis and types of non-verbal language that will be/has been employed.
ACTIVITY
View Hitler's speech again and refresh your memory about the various written, verbal and non-verbal techniques used to make his voice distinctive. Now, keeping the above formula as a deconstructive tool in mind, answer the following question in a polished paragraph:
Hitler's great success as an orator was his ability to manipulate an audience's emotional response.
Audience - The intended target audience. You should also take into account if it is meant to be presented in front of an actual audience or if it is meant to be broadcast on television or radio.
Register - The types of language features and stylistic choices that have been informed by both purpose and audience. This includes tone, formality of language, emphasis and types of non-verbal language that will be/has been employed.
ACTIVITY
View Hitler's speech again and refresh your memory about the various written, verbal and non-verbal techniques used to make his voice distinctive. Now, keeping the above formula as a deconstructive tool in mind, answer the following question in a polished paragraph:
Hitler's great success as an orator was his ability to manipulate an audience's emotional response.
Tapping into Audience Imagination
Some of the most successful speakers are ones who sweep up their audience and take them on a figurative and imaginative journey. The best way to do this is through the use of a number of rhetorical devices where audiences are asked to imagine new places, people or events, to speculate on what could be and to colourfully evoke change. To do this you have to keep your audience's attention. By "hooking" your listeners early and to trigger audience emotions or values through carefully chosen words or ideas. Particular attention should be paid to clarity, pace, tone and register as well as use of pause, tone and effective tension or emotion.
ACTIVITY
Use an online dictionary to define each of the words coloured above. Keep these definitions and terms somewhere handy.
ACTIVITY
Download the document below. It is an annotated copy of what is considered to be one of Winston Churchill's most inspiring speeches ever made to a national public. Unlike Hitler who was able to command an audience's attention for evil, Churchill's Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat whipped up a strong patriotic fervour that enabled the British public to gain confidence in a courageous mission of resistance.
ACTIVITY
Use an online dictionary to define each of the words coloured above. Keep these definitions and terms somewhere handy.
ACTIVITY
Download the document below. It is an annotated copy of what is considered to be one of Winston Churchill's most inspiring speeches ever made to a national public. Unlike Hitler who was able to command an audience's attention for evil, Churchill's Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat whipped up a strong patriotic fervour that enabled the British public to gain confidence in a courageous mission of resistance.
"Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat" - Annotated Churchill Speech | |
File Size: | 279 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Rhetoric & Rhetorical Devices
We have all heard of the term "rhetorical question". In fact, we have probably even been using them wrong all these years!
Confused? You're not the only one! Hopefully this will clear everything up...rhetoric is a form of speaking which intends to make an impact upon, persuade, or influence a public audience. And this can be done through a number of particular devices. Let's have that definition again:
ACTIVITY
The father's of rhetoric are considered to be Aristotle and Cicero. Aristotle argued that there are three ways to persuade an audience that you are right:
The father's of rhetoric are considered to be Aristotle and Cicero. Aristotle argued that there are three ways to persuade an audience that you are right:
These are what he referred to as the "three technical means of persuasion". Research online what Aristotle meant by each of the terms, define each of them and then find THREE images that visually represent what each term means. For instance I may choose a picture of an upstanding and reputable man like Steve Jobs as one of my pictures for ethos. Keep these definitions and images in your OneNote.
ACTIVITY
Aristotle once wrote that "it is simplicity that makes the uneducated more effective than the educated when addressing popular audiences." Explain what you think he meant by this and provide reasons why this is a strong quote to remember for this module.
ACTIVITY
Aristotle once wrote that "it is simplicity that makes the uneducated more effective than the educated when addressing popular audiences." Explain what you think he meant by this and provide reasons why this is a strong quote to remember for this module.
_Below is a series of short videos designed to further enhance
your understanding of what rhetoric and speech making is all about.