- alliteration repetition of initial consonant sound
- allusion indirect reference to a person, event or piece of literature
- anaphora successive sentences start with the same word(s)
- antithesis contrasting relationship between two ideas
- apostrophe speaking to an imaginary person / quality / idea
- enumeratio detailing phrases/consequences to make a point more forcibly
- hyperbole deliberate exaggeration
- hypophora question raised and answered by the speaker
- metaphor figurative expression
- onomatopoeia word imitating a sound
- parallelism parallel sentence structure
- personification attribution of human characteristics to animals/objects
- repetition repeating words or phrases
- rhetorical question questions without a direct answer
- simile direct comparison
- understatement weaken or soften a statement
- pathos emotional appeal - irony - sarcasm ...
Handbook of rhetorical devices - Self-test - Stylistc devices
> BEFORE THE SPEECH
- Who is the speaker? Why is he giving this speech? What’s his goal? >> educate - motivate - persuade - entertain?
- Where and when is the speech delivered? Who is the audience?
- Are there any other speakers? How was the speaker introduced? What body language is demonstrated by the speaker?
> INTRODUCTION - BODY - CONCLUSION
- In what way is the speech opened? Is the opening memorable? >> story - joke - statistics - controversial statement - picture?
- What arguments are presented? Are they supported by examples or statistics? Is the presentation focused and organized?
- Is the conclusion to the point and memorable? Is there a message?
> DELIVERY
- Is the speaker enthusiastic - convincing - credible - humorous - original?
- Is the speaker audience interaction effective? Is eye contact used?
- Are pauses used before or after important words or phrases?
- What, when and how are pictures or films used?
- Are the speaker’s gestures natural - timely - easy to see? Does the speaker use the stage area?
- Is the speaker easy to hear? Does he vary pace and volume?
- Is the language appropriate - articulated clearly - easy to understand?
- What rhetorical devices are used?
- How does the speech make you feel? Analyzing speeches
People give speeches about anywhere. You’ll often here people giving speeches about certain topics or issues on TV, at conferences, in parliament, and at protest rallies.
There are three different types of speeches:
- Informative speeches provide interesting and useful information to increase the knowledge of the audience.
- Explanatory speeches create understanding by focusing on the how and why of a subject and its consequences.
- Persuasive speech try to convince or persuade the audience to do a specific thing.
There are three separate parts of a speech:
- Introduction: greeting - attention getter - aim - structure
- Body: main points - background information - examples - solutions - paragraphs - linking words - repeat arguments
- Conclusion: summary - quotation - appeal - outlook - rhetorical question - promise >> Thank the audience!
