Speech & PowerA Study of American Rhetoric, Macbeth, & Present-Day Political Movements

Tuesday, October 23 Bellwork

With a partner, make a list of great speeches. o These may be…• Political• Historical• From books, movies, or real life

o What do these speeches have in common? What makes them great?

Terms To Learn Pathos Ethos Logos Mood & Tone

Rhetorical question Metaphor & Simile Parallelism Antithesis Sarcasm Understatement Hyperbole Call to action

Thursday, October 25 Bellwork

Write an original (meaning: you made it up) example of your rhetorical device.

Monday, October 29 Bellwork

List some instances from American history where citizens have (either violently or peacefully) sought to dramatically change their government.

When (if ever) do citizens have the right to fight against their government?

Tuesday, October 30 Bellwork

How convincing do you find Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty” speech?o What is his most convincing

argument?o What is his least convincing

argument?o Are the reasons he lists for revolution

good enough reasons to actually go to war? Why or why not?

Friday, November 01 Bellwork

Why is freedom of speech, guaranteed by our 1st Amendment, so important?

How does this freedom apply to you?

Rage Against The Machine - Guerilla Radio

Transmission third world war third roundA decade of the weapon of sound above groundNo shelter if you’re looking for shadeI lick shots at the brutal charadeAs the polls close like a casketOn truth devouredSilent play in the shadow of powerA spectacle monopolizedThe cameras eyes on choice disguisedWas it cast for the mass who burn and toil?Or for the vultures who thirst for blood and oil?Yes a spectacle monopolizedThey hold the reins, stole your eyesAll the fistagons the bullets and bombsWho stuff the banksWho staff the party ranks…

Wednesday, November 07 Bellwork

Do you agree with John Mayer that your generation is just “waiting on the world to change,” or do you think your generation is making the world change?o Explain, using specific examples

from your life, the news, this school, etc.

Thursday, November 08 Bellwork

If you had just been elected President of the United States, what would you want to sayo To your supporters?o To your detractors?o To the nation as a whole?o To the world?

Friday, November 09 Bellwork

What makes a strong paragraph strong?o List at least 4 attributes of a good

paragraph, and explain why each is essential.

What’s Right With This Paragraph?

I think that Sojourner Truth’s speech had the most effective rhetorical strategies. Her use of pathos, parallelism, and ethos really made the speech memorable. She used pathos by showing the hard times in her life and explaining that it was all mostly by the hand of the white man. She liked using parallelism saying that she’s a woman, and she should have women’s rights even if she’s a black woman. She does all of this in a way that is respectful, showing her ethos.

Monday, November 12 Bellwork

What are your ambitions? Do you consider yourself to be a particularly ambitious person?

Is ambition a good trait to have? Why or why not?