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Analyzing Persuasive Writing – Mark a Reading
Patrick Henry believes we must go to war with Britain for our independence. He believes there is no other alternative and
uses many literary devices to convince his audience including repetition and appeals to both HEARTS (PATHOS) and MINDS
(LOGOS). Analyze the speech and think… are you convinced?
Use two colors to mark up the reading, and underline REPETITION throughout the text
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Highlight with one color the statements that appeal to EMOTION (HEARTS)
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Highlight with another color the statements that appeal to LOGIC/FACTS (MINDS)
Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775 Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death (excerpts)
…Let us not, I beseech (request) you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the
storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated (protest); we have supplicated (begged); we
have prostrated (thrown) ourselves before the throne, and have implored (begged) its interposition to arrest the
tyrannical (cruel) hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances (protests)
have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned
(rejected) with contempt (disrespect) from the foot of the throne!
…They tell us, sir, that we are weak – unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger?
Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be
stationed in every house?
…Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, who will
raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant (alert), the active,
the brave. …There is no retreat, but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged (false), their clanking may be heard
on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable – and let it come! I repeat, sir, let it come!
…It is in vain, sir, to extenuate (excuse) the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace — but there is no peace. The war is
actually begun! The next gale (wind) that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our
brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle (useless)? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they
have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased 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!
Comprehension Questions
1. How does Patrick Henry appeal to emotion in this excerpt? In addition, list some of the words that you think
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2. How does Henry appeal to logic in this excerpt? _________________________________________________
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3. How does he use REPETITION in the speech? What does he repeat and why?___________________________
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4. Who or what does he say “gives” us our strength to fight and win against the British?
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5. What does he mean by “our chains are forged, there clanking may be heard on the Plains of Boston”?
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6. What is ironic or contradictory about his repeated references to Americans being “slaves” to the British crown?
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7. If you were a “fence sitter” do you think this speech would have convinced you that war and independence
were the only options? Why or why not?
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8. What part of his speech did you find most convincing? Why?_________________________________________
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