Analysis Persuasions Patrick Henry Essay Example

ministry and our entitlement to freedom. He urges immediate action because it is what the people demand.

Patrick Henry understood the importance of employing reasoning and presenting evidence in order to make a meaningful impact on the audience. He believed that by using logic to support his arguments, he could convince the senators. Henry's main argument was that Britain had never granted independence to anyone before, so why would they do so now? He aimed to demonstrate that Britain had consistently ignored their petitions. Taking advantage of this, Henry posed new and logical questions to challenge the notion that Britain would willingly grant them independence. In his speech, Henry questioned, "Has the conduct of the British Ministry for the last ten years justified the hopes that gentlemen have chosen to entertain themselves and the House? Is it the disingenuous smile with which our petitions have recently been received?" (Henry Par.)

3) In order to convince them of the truth, he employed logical appeal, leading his audience to understand the situation. Patrick's arguments caused the representatives in the convention to reconsider and take intentional action. He skillfully transformed evidence into persuasive tools that immediately revealed weaknesses in their patient approach toward Independence. Patrick adeptly manipulated their thinking to believe it was the sole option available. Logic serves as an excellent method for prompting readers to reconsider and rationalize from a new standpoint.

Henry needed to clearly and effectively capture the attention of his audience. To achieve this, he utilized direct statements and repetition to reinforce his arguments. For instance, he emphatically declared, "We must fight, I repeat it, sir, we must fight" (Henry, Par. 5). By utilizing repetition, Henry

was able to emphasize the significance of his argument and provide clarity. Throughout the speech, repetition was employed to directly express his desires. As evidence, he later reiterated, "Let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come!" (Henry, Par. 5). This repetition serves as a clue to the audience that Henry is conveying the message that the war is inevitable and cannot be halted, as highlighted in "The speech to the Virginia convention".

The use of repetition in these quotes serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it highlights the importance of the statements being made. Additionally, it captures the attention of the representatives who are listening. Patrick Henry leverages this repetition along with his direct statement to ensure clarity in his message. Furthermore, Henry employs the rhetorical device pathos to appeal to their emotions and motivate them to take action against Britain. He emphasizes the potential consequences of failing to act against the impending war and how it can impact their plans and freedoms. He boldly states, "There is no retreat, in submission of slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable - and let it come" (Henry Par.)

Henry employs fear to appeal to the audience's emotions, specifically the fear of slavery. Meanwhile, Patrick encourages the audience to pause and engage in critical thinking. Additionally, Henry discusses the potential mistreatment from the English if action is not taken immediately.

The representatives' fear of slavery was skillfully exploited through an insidious strike of fear, leveraging the rhetorical device of pathos. This device is commonly used by authors due to its ability to elicit an instant emotional reaction from

readers. Emotional appeal has a greater impact on readers than reason or motivation. In Henry's speech, he effectively captures the audience's attention by evoking emotions that urge them to take action. His powerful words, such as "Give me liberty or Give me death," create a strong emotional appeal that taps into the audience's deep sense of patriotism. This emotional connection strengthens the overall sense of patriotism and gives Henry an advantage in the realm of emotional persuasion.

The utilization of pathos in writing is an influential technique for convincing others, as it taps into their emotions and inspires them to act. To earn the audience's trust and convince them to believe his every word, Henry had to establish his credibility. In his speech, he accomplished this by portraying himself as a patriotic and knowledgeable person. This depiction of himself as trustworthy added ethos to his speech. "No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the house." (Henry, Par.)

1) The purpose of the first sentence in his speech was to present Patrick Henry as a gentleman and establish the truthfulness of his words to the convention. By positioning himself as one of them, he gains credibility. Furthermore, he asserts that he holds patriotism in high regard, aligning himself with the audience as a loyal citizen and thereby increasing the significance of his words. Later in his speech, he emphasizes his reliance on experience by stating, "I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience." This declaration assures the audience that he is

not making baseless claims and is instead an experienced individual with authority on the subject matter. Consequently, his words possess greater weight because they are backed by personal experience rather than mere rhetoric.

Patrick Henry concludes his speech by utilizing a call to action, directly expressing his purpose for addressing the representatives of the house. In his closing statement, he asserts the necessity of war for the sake of our freedom, stating, "... We must fight..." (Henry par.

)Patrick responds by declaring that in order to obtain freedom, we must engage in battle and this becomes his initial appeal. "I forbid it, all-powerful deity! I am uncertain of the actions others may choose, but personally, I demand to have liberty or face death!" (Henry Par. 6).

Patrick Henry's purpose in this speech is clearly stated at the end, with famous last words that had a profound impact due to their meaning, emotion, and direct call to action. In his speech, Patrick Henry declares his desire for liberty and his willingness to do whatever it takes, even sacrificing his life, for the freedom of all in the thirteen colonies. He convinces the convention to take action against Britain's tyranny in order to achieve this liberty. Patrick boldly calls for war as the means to gain freedom and independence.

Henry effectively utilizes various rhetorical devices in his speech to the Virginia convention in order to rally support for independence from Britain. He employs logos, repetition, pathos, ethos and a call to action with great skill. Henry's ability to reason and effectively tap into his available resources is evident throughout the speech. By repeatedly stating his intentions, he ensures that the representatives

respond more effectively to his call for action.

The thirteen representatives were deeply moved by his emotional words, which motivated them to take prompt action. Overall, his speech was captivating, entertaining, inspiring, touching, patriotic, and skillfully crafted to convey the intended tone, emotion, meaning, and purpose. His use of persuasive techniques was elaborate, and the culmination of his efforts led to the establishment of the independent nation known today as the United States of America. Effective persuaders, such as Martin Luther King Jr., always employ rhetorical devices.

Both you and Patrick Henry have utilized persuasion techniques to persuade others to adopt your ideas. These techniques, commonly used by great leaders, can be seen in everyday situations - such as convincing someone to lend you something or persuading a teacher to accept late work. Teenagers often employ these techniques to convince their parents to allow them to go out. The art of rhetorical appealing is a daily practice, and the more effectively it is employed, the greater chance of achieving desired outcomes. A prime example of this is Patrick Henry, who successfully persuaded his audience to take action, ultimately contributing to the Declaration of Independence.

Work Cited

1. Page Henry, Patrick. Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death. 23, March 1775. <http://www. law. ou. edu/ushistory/henry. shtml>.