Rhetorical strategies #2

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

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

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 highlighted text, what rhetorical devices does Patrick Henry use? Choose two.

• parallelism

• repetition

• rhetorical question

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!

Which rhetorical device is represented in the highlighted text?

• figurative language

• rhetorical questions

• parallelism

• repetition

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!

Which persuasive appeal is represented using the highlighted words?

• morality

• knowledge

• emotion

• statistics

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!

Which of the following is best represented by the highlighted words?

• rhetorical question

• paradox

• figurative language

• alliteration