Rhetorical strategies

Read the following excerpt. It is adapted from President John F. Kennedy's 1961 inaugural speech.

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty. . . . In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility—I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it. And the glow from that fire can truly light the world. And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

Based on the excerpt, what is the purpose of John F. Kennedy's speech?

• to encourage Americans and people worldwide to work together for freedom

• to motivate Americans to defend liberty in their local communities

• to convey his dissatisfaction with the failures of the previous generation

Review the highlighted text.

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty. . . . In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility—I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it. And the glow from that fire can truly light the world. And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

In the text in highlight, what rhetorical strategy does John F. Kennedy use?

• He tells a story.

• He uses a metaphor.

• He concedes a point.

Review the way that John F. Kennedy uses a metaphor.

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty. . . . In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility—I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it. And the glow from that fire can truly light the world. And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

How does this strategy help John F. Kennedy encourage Americans and people worldwide to work together for freedom?

• It invites listeners to distinguish between America's interests and the world's interests.

• It inspires unity and enthusiasm to aid in the global struggle for freedom.

• It makes American listeners feel grateful for the freedoms they enjoy.

Read the following excerpt. It is adapted from a speech that Napoleon Bonaparte gave to his soldiers after being forced to step down as Emperor of France in 1814.

Soldiers of my Old Guard: I bid you farewell. For twenty years I have constantly accompanied you on the road to honor and glory. In these latter times, as in the days of our prosperity, you have invariably been models of courage and fidelity. With men such as you our cause could not be lost; but the war would have been interminable; it would have been civil war, and that would have entailed deeper misfortunes on France. I have sacrificed all of my interests to those of the country. I go, but you, my friends, will continue to serve France. Her happiness was my only thought. It will still be the object of my wishes. Do not regret my fate; if I have consented to survive, it is to serve your glory. I intend to write the history of the great achievements we have performed together. Adieu, my friends. Would I could press you all to my heart.

Based on the excerpt, what is the purpose of Napoleon Bonaparte's speech?

• to question his soldiers' courage

• to mourn the loss of prosperity

• to say goodbye to his officers

Read the highlighted text.

Soldiers of my Old Guard: I bid you farewell. For twenty years I have constantly accompanied you on the road to honor and glory. In these latter times, as in the days of our prosperity, you have invariably been models of courage and fidelity. With men such as you our cause could not be lost; but the war would have been interminable; it would have been civil war, and that would have entailed deeper misfortunes on France. I have sacrificed all of my interests to those of the country. I go, but you, my friends, will continue to serve France. Her happiness was my only thought. It will still be the object of my wishes. Do not regret my fate; if I have consented to survive, it is to serve your glory. I intend to write the history of the great achievements we have performed together. Adieu, my friends. Would I could press you all to my heart.

In the text in highlight, what rhetorical strategy does Napoleon Bonaparte use?

• He appeals to his listeners' fears.

• He praises his listeners.

• He describes his listeners' notable achievements.

Review the way that Napoleon Bonaparte praises his listeners.

Soldiers of my Old Guard: I bid you farewell. For twenty years I have constantly accompanied you on the road to honor and glory. In these latter times, as in the days of our prosperity, you have invariably been models of courage and fidelity. With men such as you our cause could not be lost; but the war would have been interminable; it would have been civil war, and that would have entailed deeper misfortunes on France. I have sacrificed all of my interests to those of the country. I go, but you, my friends, will continue to serve France. Her happiness was my only thought. It will still be the object of my wishes. Do not regret my fate; if I have consented to survive, it is to serve your glory. I intend to write the history of the great achievements we have performed together. Adieu, my friends. Would I could press you all to my heart.

How does this strategy help Napoleon Bonaparte say goodbye to his officers?

• It makes Napoleon seem like a vulnerable leader who needs protection.

• It rouses the soldiers' scorn for the people of France.

• It makes the speech more personal and engaging to the soldiers.

Review the highlighted text.

My lords, the present occasion is too serious to allow me to follow the convention that a woman should not speak in a man's council. Those whose interests are threatened by extreme danger should think only of the wisest course of action, not of conventions. In my opinion, flight is not the right course, even if it should bring us to safety. It is impossible for a person, having been born into this world, not to die; but for one who has reigned it is intolerable to be a fugitive. May I never be deprived of this purple robe, and may I never see the day when those who meet me do not call me empress. If you wish to save yourself, my lord, there is no difficulty. We are provisioned; over there is the sea, and yonder are the ships. Yet reflect for a moment whether, when you have once escaped to a place of security, you would not gladly exchange such safety for death. As for me, I agree with the adage that the royal purple is the noblest shroud.

In the text in highlight, what rhetorical strategy does Empress Theodora use?

• She uses the purple cloth to symbolize royalty.

• She gives a vivid description of her royal riches.

• She establishes her royal authority over her husband.

Review the way that Empress Theodora uses the purple cloth to symbolize royalty.

My lords, the present occasion is too serious to allow me to follow the convention that a woman should not speak in a man's council. Those whose interests are threatened by extreme danger should think only of the wisest course of action, not of conventions. In my opinion, flight is not the right course, even if it should bring us to safety. It is impossible for a person, having been born into this world, not to die; but for one who has reigned it is intolerable to be a fugitive. May I never be deprived of this purple robe, and may I never see the day when those who meet me do not call me empress. If you wish to save yourself, my lord, there is no difficulty. We are provisioned; over there is the sea, and yonder are the ships. Yet reflect for a moment whether, when you have once escaped to a place of security, you would not gladly exchange such safety for death. As for me, I agree with the adage that the royal purple is the noblest shroud.

How does this strategy help Empress Theodora convince her husband to stay and fight?

• It motivates her husband to try to expand their royal domain.

• It creates a vivid picture of the empress wearing her royal robes.

• It emphasizes the importance of defending their royal position.

Read the following excerpt. It is adapted from a 1775 speech that Patrick Henry delivered at the Second Virginia Convention just prior to the start of the American Revolution.

Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming. We have petitioned; we have complained; we have appealed; we have groveled before the throne. Our petitions have been slighted; our complaints have produced additional violence and insult; our appeals have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free . . . we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! . . . Gentlemen may cry for peace—but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why do we stand here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have us do? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, that it must be gained at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

Based on the excerpt, what is the purpose of Patrick Henry's speech?

• to persuade the Convention not to give up hope of peace

• to convince the Convention that war is necessary to preserve freedom

• to suggest that the Convention compromise with the British government

Read the highlighted text.

Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming. We have petitioned; we have complained; we have appealed; we have groveled before the throne. Our petitions have been slighted; our complaints have produced additional violence and insult; our appeals have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free . . . we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! . . . Gentlemen may cry for peace—but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why do we stand here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have us do? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, that it must be gained at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

In the text in highlight, what rhetorical strategy does Patrick Henry use?

• He uses groups of three.

• He tells a humorous story.

• He uses sentences with similar structure.