Understanding how a speaker effectively makes a point is essential to being able to do so yourself. For this reason, we must carefully consider how a speaker organizes their speech and how they use language to engage their audience. You will complete an analysis of Henry’s speech using the Springboard Prompt on page 177 (I’ve included it here):

Write a brief essay in which you explain how Patrick Henry builds an argument to persuade his audience that the colonies should declare their independence from Great Britain. In your essay, analyze the three most effective rhetorical devices Henry uses to strengthen the logic and persuasiveness of his argument. Your essay should not explain whether you agree with Henry’s claims, but rather it should explain how the author builds an argument to persuade his audience. Be sure to:

• Identify Henry’s claim

• Use evidence from the text to show the progression of Henry’s argument

• Explain the effect of each piece of evidence, and include transitions to connect your claims, reasoning, and evidence.

• Evaluate the overall effectiveness of Henry’s speech.

• Include a conclusion that supports your ideas.

Goals are to identify and evaluate the use of structural and rhetorical choices in an argumentative text.

Exemplary Work will have no apparent grammatical or mechanical errors and will effectively include quotations to support the evaluation of the work.