This document provides an overview of key concepts related to Patrick Henry's famous "Speech in the Virginia Convention" during the American Revolution. It defines rhetorical devices like rhetorical questions, ethos, pathos, and logos that Henry used to sway his audience. The document also provides context on John Locke's beliefs, the mindset of the American colonists, and Patrick Henry's background and purpose in delivering this influential speech advocating for the start of the Revolution.

1. The American Revolution and Speech Devices
“Speech in the
Virginia Convention”
LO: Understand authors purpose, theme(s), diction, mood, syntax, imagery,
audience, structure/organization, persuasive techniques, and other rhetorical
techniques.
This session will be recorded for learning purposes.
Learning purposes include: a lesson review for students who
are absent, students who want to review for a test, and
students who attend synchronously.

2. Housekeeping 101

3. Name some great speakers or speeches
Write it on the board

4. John Locke’s Beliefs
• all people are born equal.
• education can free people from the
subjugation of tyranny.
• government has a moral obligation to
guarantee that individuals always retain
sovereignty over their own rights,
including ownership of property that
results from their own labor.
1632-1704

5. The Colonists
• Americans were content to be left alone
in the colonies.
• They had experience in self-government
and were opposed to a standing army.
• They were especially adamant in their
opposition to taxation without
representation.

6. Patrick Henry
• Patrick Henry was the
most famous orator of
the American
Revolution.
• He delivered this speech
in March 1775 to the
Second Virginia
Provincial Convention.
• Henry uses various
literary devices to create
a style of rhetoric which
sways his audience to
believe that the
Revolution must begin.
• He uses the appeals of
logos and pathos and
establishes ethos

7. Your Assignment
Parallelism
Pathos
Ethos
Logos
Rhetorical QuestionsRepetition
Restatement

8. Rhetorical Question
• A question to which no
answer is expected
because the answer is
obvious.
• Often used to
emphasize a point or
create an emotional
effect.
“Can we forge against these
enemies a grand and global
alliance, North and South, East
and West, that can assure a
more fruitful life for all
mankind? Will you join in that
historic effort?”
–JFK Inaugural Address
Did you break that lamp?
- Standing next to the broken lamp

9. Ethos – ethical
• An appeal to the belief that the character is
of high moral standing.
• Refers to the trustworthiness of the
speaker/writer. The audience can trust the
presenter.
• Will the speaker/writer cause you harm?

10. Pathos – pathetic, sympathy, empathy
• An appeal to the emotions of the
audience.
• Used to alter the mindset of the
audience.
• How does the claim make you feel?

11. Logos – intellect or logic
• An appeal to the left/logical side of the
brain.
• Use of facts and reasoning to persuade
the audience.
• What patterns, conventions and modes
of reasoning do you see?

12. Parallelism
• Repeated use of a grammatical
structure in a sentence.
– Parts of speech are comparable and
balanced.
– When balanced, the writing flows smoothly
and avoids misunderstandings.

13. Repetition
• Repeating the SAME words or phrases
for emphasis
• This is done to make the information
stick in the minds of an audience.

14. Restatement
• Repeating an idea or concept by using
DIFFERENT words or phrases
• This is done to clarify (create a
connection) the information – make it
more clear (more people will
understand).

15. Today and Tomorrow
Complete the Lessons
Work on the Assignment
Submit the Assignment
Carry on!