ENG3C: Unit 9
Speech Analysis Worksheet & Response
Persuasive Speeches
A persuasive speech is a speech that is given with the intention of convincing the audience to believe or do something. These speeches can be on any topic and performed for a variety of audiences.
Overview
This analysis guide is intended to provide opportunities for students to examine, reflect on, and evaluate two speeches. In the first part, students will respond to Steve Jobs’ commencement speech. Next, students will select a speech – from history, from popular culture, etc. – and provide an analysis.
Background Information:
Who is the speaker?
What is the title of the speech?
When was the speech delivered?
Where was the speech delivered? (location, event, occasion)
Who is the intended audience of the speech? How does this impact the speech delivery?
Content/Persuasive Analysis: What does the speech say and How does it persuade??
What is the tone of the speech?
What is the purpose/objective of the speech?
What is the overall persuasive technique used in the speech? Use evidence from the speech to support your answer.
Emotional Appeal: These are appeals to the emotions of the audience. What evidence can you find of this persuasive technique in the speech?
Logical Appeal: These are appeals to logic and fact, or to the power of reason. What evidence can you find of this persuasive technique in the speech?
Ethical Appeal: These are appeals based on the credibility and manner of the speaker. What evidence can you find of this persuasive technique in the speech?
Understanding the Rhetorical Triangle and Persuasive Technique/Appeals
Aristotle taught that a speaker’s ability to persuade an audience is based on how well the speaker appeals to that audience in three different areas: logos, ethos, and pathos. Considered together, these appeals form what later rhetoricians have called the rhetorical triangle.
Watch this video to learn about Aristotle’s theory on rhetoric and how Ethos, Logos, and Pathos are used to appeal to audiences in order to persuade.
Speech Response Assignment
Purpose
The purpose of this assignment is to analyze a speech, using the rhetorical terms and theories you have learned.
Choose a speech that conveys a particularly strong message. This can be anything in the world across any discipline or area of culture – from political speeches to historical speeches to popular speeches, such as those found on TedTalks, Youtube, or live on campus.
Requirements
This is an analytical, academic assignment, and, as a result, your writing should reflect that. You should make sure to make a clear and precise argument as you analyze the rhetorical strategies employed in the speech that you are examining. Your paper must include the following elements:
Format
2-3 pages
An original and specific title must be centered at the top of your writing
Essay format using correct grammar, punctuation,and spelling
Content
Introduction. First, describe the speech. Provide context for the audience. Where, when, and why types of questions should be answered. Focus on specific details, because your reader may not have heard this speech before and needs the context to understand your analysis and the reasons you chose this speech.
Provide a clear introduction with a thesis statement that presents a claim about the effectiveness of this speech.
The main thrust of your thesis statement should be on how the speech creates meaning and accomplishes its purposes for that specific audience (Aristotle’s triangle).
Body. Next, analyze the speech. Explore details and examine key parts of the speech as a whole, applying rhetorical terms, techniques, and strategies.
Discuss Ethos, Logos, Pathos, rhetorical strategies and techniques such as language use or visuals.
Provide evidence and support for your thesis and key analysis points
Conclusion. Create an effective conclusion that provides interpretation and critical thinking and reaffirms your thesis statement.
Rubric for Evaluation
Achievement Categories
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Knowledge and Understanding
Provides some understanding of audience and purpose. Thesis statement is misleading or misplaced.
Mentions audience, purpose and technique. Thesis can be gleaned from introduction.
Develops some conclusions based on audience, purpose and technique. Includes a working thesis statement.
Develops conclusions based on audience, purpose and technique. Includes a clear thesis statement for focus of paper.
Thinking and Inquiry
Evaluates effectiveness of speech with some difficulty or too generally
Evaluates effectiveness with some supporting information but may not support the analysis of the topic/subject
Evaluates effectiveness with specific details that add some support to analysis
Evaluates effectiveness with well chosen specific details that enhance analysis
Communication
Writing may include lapses in organization or contain many errors making it difficult to read
Mechanical organization of writing with a clear focus but few or no transitions to link ideas
Logical organization of writing with a clear focus and transitions to link ideas
Skillful writing fluency, exhibits few or no mechanical errors, varied sentences and stylistic elements in writing
Application
Vague surface level analysis of speech – may include summary
Some mention of rhetorical technique or style
Well structured analysis of rhetorical techniques and style
Insightful analysis of rhetorical techniques and style