Patrick Henry’s Speech To The Virginia Convention: Rhetoric – Flashcards
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The appeal to emotion is called
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pathos
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The purpose of Patrick Henry's speech is to
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persuade
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The original audience for Patrick Henry's speech was
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Virginia politicans
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"But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction?" Which of the following best describes the quotation?
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rhetorical questions
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"Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded;" Which rhetorical device is used in the excerpt?
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parallelism
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"And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer on the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves longer." What is the persuasive effect of the different types of statements?
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They engage the audience and call for a response.
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"Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament." The purpose of the parallel language in this example is to
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emphasize the importance of past actions
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"Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us; they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging." What does this sentence suggest about the relationship between the colonies and the British?
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The colonies are undeserving of discipline by the British.
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In at least 150 words, explain two ways in which Patrick Henry persuades his audience that the moment to fight is at hand. Identify two rhetorical techniques or appeals. Use evidence from the speech to support your response.
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Henry uses ethos, pathos and logos to call for everyone to fight. He uses rhetorical question like: :Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery," antithesis like: "Give me liberty, or give me death," repetition like: ". . . we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight," parrallelism like: "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet . . ." restatement like: "Trust it not . . . Let us not deceive ourselves, sir" and excalamtion like: "The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms!" He uses rheotorical questions and appeals to get the politicians thinking.
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In at least 150 words, explain the tone of the address before the Virginia Congress. Use evidence from the speech to support your response.
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Patrick Henry's speech is written such that the audience understands his credibility as a speaker. His word choice tells us that he has respect for his audience. He shows his experience and credibility: "I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past."
