Rhetorical Devices Assignment, English 8, 24-25

Rhetorical devices are literary devices used in persuasive speaking and arguments. As we analyze Abraham
Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” and Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, let’s explore
how these are used.
Grade = 16 points
Due Friday, November 1, 2024 – submit to English🡪Tools🡪Assignments🡪 Rhetorical Devices Assignment

Part 1: Rhetorical Vocabulary definitions (4 points):

Literary Device Definition in context to speaking/speeches from the k12 online lessons.

1. Rhetoric The art of using language skillfully and persuasively

2. Emphasis The stressing of certain words by a speaker.
3. Pace The speed and, changing of speeds, of the speaker’s delivery.
4. Tone The writer's attitude toward the topic or subject

Part 2: Speech elements (4 points; .5 for each definition, .5 for each piece of evidence):
Use lesson 2.05 and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech to determine what he wants, the reasons he
wants it, and find lines from the poem to support that.
Speech element Definition in context: Question: Lines from the “I Have a Dream” speech
as evidence:

5. Claim A claim is an opinion- What does Dr. King African Americans still have not gained
based stance on a claim should be equality one hundred years after
topic or subject. happening? emancipation from enslavement.

6. Reason An explanation for an What are some reasons End segregation, End racial injustice, and
action, even, or idea he gives for why this make justice a reality for all.
that supports and needs to happen?
strengthens the claim.

7. Evidence Facts, statistics, What evidence does he "One hundred years later, the Negro still
quotes or anecdotes give to support his is not free. One hundred years later, the
used to proof to claim and reasons? life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by
strengthens a claim by the manacles of segregation and the
supporting the reason chains of discrimination."
in an argument.
Evidence must directly
relate to the reason.

8. Call to action What you want your What does he want

audience to do with people to do with this “Now is the time to make real the
claim, reason, and information? promises of democracy. Now is the time
evidence you have to to rise from the dark and desolate valley
of segregation to the sunlit path of racial
provide in your
justice. Now is the time to lift our nation
argument.
 from the quicksands of racial injustice to
the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is
the time to make justice a reality for all
of God's children."

Part 3: Rhetorical devices (8 points):

Use lesson 2.05 and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, and our work in class to find textual evidence
for each of these rhetorical devices.
Literary Device Example Textual evidence of the device from
“I Have a Dream” by Dr. M. L. King

9. Allusion “I heard the singing of the "Five score years ago, a great American, in
A reference to a Mississippi when Abe Lincoln whose symbolic shadow we stand today,
culturally familiar went down to New Orleans,”- signed the Emancipation Proclamation."
literary or historical Langston Hughes, in allusion to
person or event. the Emancipation Proclamation

10. Ethos “… in thus voting, I not only "We have also come to this hallowed spot to
An appeal to ethics and committed no crime, but, instead, remind America of the fierce urgency of now.
credibility. simply exercised my citizen’s right, This is no time to engage in the luxury of
guaranteed to me and all United cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of
States citizens ...” - Susan B. gradualism."
Anthony

11. First-person-plural “… we shall maintain our vigil to "We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we
mode of address make sure our sons ...” – must make the pledge that we shall always
Using we, us, or our to Abraham Lincoln march ahead. We cannot turn back."
make the audience feel
included.

12. Logos "It was we, the people; not we, the "But there is something that I must say to my
An appeal to logic and white male citizens; nor yet we, the people who stand on the warm threshold
reason. male citizens; but we, the whole which leads into the palace of justice: In the
people, who formed the Union.” – process of gaining our rightful place, we must
Susan B. Anthony not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek
to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking
from the cup of bitterness and hatred.”

13. Parallel structure “Just as I would not be a slave, "I have a dream that one day this nation
so I would not be a master.” – will rise up and live out the true meaning of
Repetition of identical
or nearly identical
Abraham Lincoln its creed... I have a dream that my four little
phrases or clauses, used children will one day live in a nation where
to emphasize ideas. they will not be judged by the color of their
skin but by the content of their character."

14. Pathos “The brave men, living and dead "I am not unmindful that some of you have
An appeal to emotion who struggled here have come here out of great trials and tribulations.
 and imagination. consecrated it, far above our Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail
poor power to add or detract.” – cells. And some of you have come from areas
Abraham Lincoln where your quest for freedom left you battered
by the storms of persecution and staggered by
the winds of police brutality."

15. Repetition “As we maintain the vigil of "Let freedom ring from the mighty
Use of word or phrase peace, we must remember that mountains of New York. Let freedom ring
several times in a justice is a vigil, too - a vigil.” – from the heightening Alleghenies of
passage to highlight Lyndon B. Johnson Pennsylvania. Let freedom ring from the
important ideas. snow-capped Rockies of Colorado. Let
freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of
California.”

16. Rhetorical question “Ain’t I a woman?” – Sojourner "When will you be satisfied?"
A question asked to Truth
create a dramatic effect
or to make a point
rather than to get an
answer.

Due Friday, November 1, 2024 – submit to English🡪Tools🡪Assignments🡪Rhetorical Devices Assignment