Analyzing Speeches

Which excerpt from the speech contains an example of parallel structure?

• ...symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning—signifying renewal, as well as change.

• the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around

  the globe...

• ...unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this

  Nation has always been committed..

• Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price.

Answer explanation

Remember Parallel structure is --- Ellen likes hiking, attending the rodeo, and taking afternoon naps. Look at hiking attending and taking the ing all in one sentence

Which statement best explains President Kennedy’s attitude toward the past

in his speech?

• Americans should move beyond the past and into a new era

• While moving forward, we should preserve the rights for which our ancestors fought

• Society must eliminate the causes of poverty in our country and in the world.

• We can learn from past mistakes as we begin a new chapter in America.

Read this excerpt from paragraph 4.

(8 .8 A)

...the torch has been passed to a

new generation of Americans...

The metaphor in this excerpt is used to —

• convey an image of handing over responsibility

• illustrate the bright future for America

• emphasize the dangers faced by the new generation

• describe the speaker’s goals for the country

Which excerpt from the speech suggests that President Kennedy believes certain

freedoms are under threat?

• .unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this

  Nation has always been committed..

• .we observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom—symbolizing an

  end, as well as a beginning.

• For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and

  all forms of human life.

• Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch

  has been passed to a new generation of Americans...

Which sentence from the text most strongly supports the correct answer to Question 5 (It is up to the American people to decide what they collectively want, and work together toward those goals)?

• “We cannot improve on the system of government handed down to us by the founders of the Republic.”

• “This is the question which must be answered in 1976: Are we to be one people bound together by common spirit, sharing in a common endeavor; or will we become a divided nation?”

• “If we promise as public officials, we must deliver.”

• “There is something special about tonight. What is different? What is special?”

At one point in his “Acceptance Speech for the Nobel Peace Prize,” Elie Wiesel mentions Alfred Nobel, for whom the prize is named. What is the most likely reason for mentioning Nobel?

• a.to suggest that Nobel would have been a worthy recipient of the prize

• b.to connect the actions that Wiesel calls for (from others) to Nobel’s own actions

• c.to show how one freedom fighter might easily influence another

• d.to remind the audience why Wiesel has received the award

The central argument of the speaker.  What is the speaker trying to get us to understand? 

• antithesis 

• main point

• thesis

• rhetorical device

A question that is asked by the speaker, but that is not answered by the speaker. 

• bad question 

• good question 

• main idea

• rhetorical question 

The person who delivers a speech

• audience

• speaker

• rhetoric

• occasion

The group of people that an author/speaker is specifically trying to reach or target

• audience

• speaker

• rhetoric

• occasion