Rhetorical Analysis & Strategies Practice

a brief reference to a famous person or event—often from literature, history, Greek mythology, or the Bible. Example: “He was a real Romeo with the ladies.”

• allusion
• alliteration
• metaphor
• hyperbole

several parts of a sentence or several sentences expressed in similar grammatical form; "I came, I saw, I conquered." 

• repetition
• parallelism
• allusion
• hyperbole

the speaker or writer's attitude about a subject

• metaphor
• irony
• mood
• tone

A very brief story, told to illustrate a point or serve as an example of something

• bias
• hyperbole
• anecdote
• antithesis

When the writer/speaker appeals to the emotions of the reader; drawing pity from an audience; inspiring anger from an audience; etc.

• restatement

• Logical Appeal

• rhetoric

• Emotional Appeal

When FDR says in his speech, "we must become like a trained and loyal army" which rhetorical device is being used?

• rehtorical question
• parallelism
• restatement
• analogy

What should be in the conclusion of a Rhetorical Analysis?

• Explanation of the significance of the argument or information from the text

• Your opinion about how awesome ASIJ 10th grade is?

• Your autobiography

• Analysis of the ethical appeal

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.