Patrick Henry Speech
RHETORICAL ANALYSIS
of an ARGUMENT
Day 1: Tuesday, November 12
Read the text critically.
Read the following speech (critically) delivered by Patrick
Henry at the Virginia Convention in 1775. Then write a
well-organized essay in which you discuss the rhetorical
strategies Henry employs to achieve his purpose for
addressing those in attendance. In your analysis, consider
such strategies as: organization, diction, syntax, and
figurative language.
Day 2: Wednesday, November 13
Big Question/Little Question. Write the thesis statement
BIG QUESTION
What is Henry’s
PURPOSE?
 Criticize leaders for ignoring
the reality of their situation
 Suggest that their past methods
of diplomacy are ineffective
 Implore his audience to take up
arms and fight for freedom
 Challenge the notion that the
British still wish to negotiate
LITTLE QUESTION
What are the
strategies he uses to
address his purpose?
 Henry employs…
 Organization
 Diction
 Syntax
 Figurative language
Writing your thesis statement
for the entire essay
Consider the following template:
In his speech at the Virginia Convention, Patrick Henry [verb
+] _________________________ [identify purpose]
by/through____________
____________________________________
_______ [specific reference to his rhetorical strategies].
How about this thesis statement?
 In his speech at the Virginia Convention, Patrick
Henry uses diction, organization, and figurative
language to achieve his purpose.
Or this one?
 In his speech at the Virginia Convention, Patrick
Henry argues that it is time for Americans to fight
for their freedom.
Or this one?
 In his speech at the Virginia Convention, Patrick
Henry uses diction, organization, and figurative
language to argue that it is time for Americans to
fight for their freedom.
How about this one?
In his speech at the Virginia Convention, Patrick
Henry argues that Americans have no choice but
to take up arms against the British by reminding
the country’s leaders of their failed attempts at
securing peace and liberty in the past and by
confronting them with their current position of
danger in the face of the inevitable British
invasion.
At your table work together and write a
thesis statement for this writing.
In his speech at the Virginia Convention, Patrick Henry [verb
+] _____________________
___ [identify purpose] by/ through ____
_________________________________
_________________________________
____ [specific reference to his rhetorical strategies].
(2 by/through clauses)
Day 3: Thursday, November 14
Polish the thesis statement.
A good thesis statement can be divided into 2 or 3
parts that can become topics for body paragraphs:
…by reminding the country’s leaders of
their failed attempts at securing peace
and liberty in the past
 Allusions:
 “song of that siren”
 “betrayed with a kiss”
 Imagery:
 smile, snare, kiss
 Metaphor:
 lamp of experience
 Diction:
 Recurring reference to hope:
 illusion of hope
 delusive phantom
 solace of hope
 no room for hope
…and by confronting them with their
current position of danger in the face of
the inevitable British invasion.
 Diction:
 Recurring references to
slavery





chains
bind
rivet
forging
clanking
 Imagery:
 “war-like preparations which
cover our waters and darken
our land”
 Rhetorical Question and
Answer organization
 Parallel Structure:
 Communicates passion and
resolve
 “Our petitions have been
slighted…contempt…”
 If we wish to be free…if…and
if…”
 Syntax: exclamation points.
Day 4: Friday, November 15
More polishing the thesis statement. Write your introduction
Polish your thesis statement.
2. Write an introductory paragraph that is interesting and
that includes your thesis statement that gives 2
“by/through” clauses.
3. Your 2 “by/through” clauses are now the topics of your
body paragraphs. Identify at least 2 specific devices or
techniques that line up under each “by/through” clause,
supporting what you have identified as Henry’s purpose.
1.
Day 5: Monday, November 18
Organizing the essay.
Organized by Purpose
Organized by Device
I. Introduction
I. Introduction
A. Provide brief context
B. TAG
C. Thesis/ Purpose Statement
II. Device One [topic sentence]
A. Example of device #1 +
purpose (3-5 sentence
chunk)
B. Example of device #2 +
purpose (3-5 sentence
chunk)
C. Concluding sentence
A. Provide brief context
B. TAG (title, author, genre)
C. Thesis/ Purpose Statement
II. Purpose One [topic sentence]
A. Example of device #1 (3-5
sentence chunk)
B. Example of device #2 (3-5
sentence chunk)
C. Concluding sentence
Organization (continued)
Organized by Purpose
Organized by Device
III. Purpose Two [topic sentence]
A. Example of device #1 (3-5
sentence chunk)
B. Example of device #2 (3-5
sentence chunk)
C. Concluding sentence
IV. Conclusion
A. Revisit the BIG question
(purpose)
B. Provide universal insight
III. Device Two [topic sentence]
A. Example of device #1 +
purpose (3-5 sentence chunk)
B. Example of device #2 +
purpose (3-5 sentence chunk)
C. Concluding sentence
IV. Conclusion
A. Revisit the BIG question
(purpose)
B. Provide universal insight
Whichever organizational pattern you use,
you must use quotations from text for
support.
Quotations should not be longer than 6-8 words.
2. Quotations do not speak for themselves, but must be
framed with an introduction (top layer of sandwich) and
explanation for quotation (the bottom layer of sandwich)
1.
Would this be a good Quotation Sandwich?
Patrick Henry reveals to his audience that they are placing
their hopes on an illusion of goodwill by the British. “We are
apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the
song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts.” This
quote shows that they have failed in their attempts at securing
peace and liberty.
How about this one?
Henry reveals to his audience that they are placing their hopes on
an illusion of goodwill falsely communicated by the British. He
alludes to the “song of that siren,” a reference to the irresistible,
but daunting creatures in The Odyssey with the ability to “transform
[men] into beasts,” in order to characterize the British promises as
ultimately dangerous to American freedom. Through this
reference, the reader connects the former promises of liberty
made by the British diplomats to the alluring but lethal siren’s
song and can more fully understand Henry’s purpose to reveal to
his audience that in the past they have either been blind or have
ignored the truth that the British ministry does not have American
interests at heart.
Day 6: Tuesday, November 19
First full draft.
Write your thesis statement at the top of the page.
Underline it in PINK.
2. Write a topic sentence for a body paragraph using one of
the purpose statements. Underline the topic sentence in
PINK.
3. Write two D2M “quotation sandwiches”. Connect these
with a meaningful transition. Underline references to
strategies in BLUE. Underline references to text in
GREEN. Underline the explanation in YELLOW.
4. Write a concluding statement referring back to the topic
sentence. Underline you concluding statement in PINK.
1.
Day 7: Wednesday, November 20
Concluding the essay.
Conclusions should…
1. Revisit the BIG question [the purpose part of your Thesis
Statement].
Patrick Henry argues that Americans have no choice but
to take up arms against the British by…
*argues is from the Yellow Pages
Conclusions should also…
Provide universal insight [one great sentence].
What is the significance of this essay in light of contemporary
issues facing America?
Would it be nice to have a Patrick Henry today inspiring
America to action?
Think “universally.”
Is this a good conclusion?
Patrick Henry argues that Americans have no choice but to
take up arms against the British. He does this by using
patterns of diction and allusions. Hopefully America will find
someone like him to get America going again today.
How about this one?
America had no choice but to take up arms against the British.
By allusions to Greek mythology and the Bible, by patterns of
diction reflecting the motifs of lost hope and pending slavery,
Henry skillfully employs rhetorical strategies that inspire the
colonists to action. Henry ends with the plaintive cry to
“Give me liberty or give me death” – a cry that has echoed
through the Civil War, world wars, and wherever the hearts
of men yearn to be free.
Day 8: Thursday, November 21
Begin work on the final essay and ask questions.
Final Draft due by midnight Sunday,
November 24
Type the entire essay (Introduction, 2 body paragraphs and a conclusion).
2.
Underline the Thesis Statement in PINK.
3.
Underline the Topic Sentence of each Body Paragraph in PINK.
4.
You should have a total of 4 Quotation Sandwiches (2 in each Body
Paragraph).
5.
The 2 QSs in each paragraph should be connected by a meaningful transition.
a.
Underline references to strategies in BLUE.
b.
Underline references to text in GREEN.
c.
Underline the explanation in YELLOW.
6.
Your conclusion should revisit the BIG question and provide universal
insight.
1.
I will not accept these after Monday.
This project is worth 100 points.
(Tuesday, give All the Pretty Horses with small assignment. Do
intro to the novel ppt.