How to analyze a speech (rhetorical devices) in 3 steps

Summary

This video provides a step-by-step guide to analyzing speeches and identifying rhetorical devices. The first step focuses on recognizing common devices like rhetorical questions, repetition, and parallelism while reading the text. The second step emphasizes evaluating these devices based on their frequency, impact, and relevance to the speaker's message. Lastly, the video offers tips on writing a structured analysis, including quoting or referencing the text and explaining the intended effect of each device. The video aims to make the process of rhetorical analysis more accessible and manageable for students.

Takeaways

• 😀 Identify rhetorical devices while reading a speech to mark them effectively.
• 😀 You don’t need to know all rhetorical devices, but focus on the most likely ones, such as rhetorical questions, repetition, and parallelism.
• 😀 The rule of three, parallelism, and inclusive 'we' are common devices used in speeches to emphasize unity and make a message memorable.
• 😀 Mark devices as you read, similar to searching for seashells on a beach—know what you're looking for.
• 😀 Evaluate the devices you find by considering how often they appear, how striking they are, and how they support the speaker’s message.
• 😀 Use a structured approach to writing analysis: Name the device, provide a quote/reference, and explain the effect of the device.
• 😀 Avoid using repetitive, vague phrases like 'the speaker uses this device to make the text more interesting.'
• 😀 Structure your paragraphs clearly with a name for the rhetorical device, a quote or reference, and a detailed explanation.
• 😀 Focus on the most significant devices that contribute to the speaker's argument or theme.
• 😀 When writing your analysis, aim to provide depth and context for each rhetorical device, rather than just listing them.
• 😀 Using examples from speeches (like Obama’s use of parallelism) helps illustrate how rhetorical devices shape the message and its impact.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video script?

The main purpose of the video script is to teach how to analyze speeches for rhetorical devices, specifically focusing on the steps for identifying, evaluating, and writing about these devices effectively in an exam context.

What is the first step in analyzing a speech, according to the video?

The first step is to read the speech and mark the rhetorical devices. The speaker suggests knowing what to look for, such as rhetorical questions, repetition, anaphora, and parallelism, in order to identify important devices in the text.

Why is it important to know what to look for when marking rhetorical devices?

It's important because, just like looking for seashells on a beach, if you don't know what you're searching for, you'll struggle to identify meaningful or interesting devices in the text.

What are some of the rhetorical devices most likely to appear in speeches?

Some of the rhetorical devices most likely to appear include rhetorical questions, repetition (e.g., anaphora), the rule of three, parallelism, and inclusive language (e.g., 'we' to create unity).

What should you do after identifying the rhetorical devices in a speech?

After identifying the devices, the next step is to evaluate them. Focus on which devices are used frequently, which are striking, and which best support the speaker's message.

How does the speaker recommend structuring the analysis when writing about rhetorical devices?

The speaker recommends structuring the analysis in paragraphs. Each paragraph should include the name of the rhetorical device, a reference or quote from the text, and an explanation of the intended effect of the device.

What is the mistake to avoid when writing about rhetorical devices?

The mistake to avoid is using repetitive, generic phrases like 'the speaker uses this device to make the text more interesting,' as this does not offer a meaningful or specific analysis of the text.

How can the structure of the analysis be simplified for better understanding?

The structure can be simplified by following the color-coded example provided by the speaker: red for the device name, yellow for the quote or reference, and green for the explanation of the device's effect.

What does the example provided in the video illustrate?

The example illustrates how to analyze a speech using parallelism. It shows how to introduce the device, provide a quote or reference, and explain the effect of the device, such as highlighting the urgency of the issue.

Why is it important to evaluate which rhetorical devices are most striking in the speech?

Evaluating which devices are striking helps to focus on the most impactful elements of the speech, ensuring that the analysis highlights the most important devices that enhance the speaker’s message.