Use of Rhetorical Devices to Effectively Give a Speech

In Patrick Henry’s, “Speech in the Virginia Convention,” Henry gives a lecture at the Virginia Convention about why they should fight for their freedom. Patrick Henry is one of the founding fathers of the United States. He helped America fight for its freedom with the famous saying, “‘Give me liberty, or give me death,’” which helps convince many loyalists (people in favor of Britain) and patriots (people opposing Britain) to fight for their rights (Henry). He gives this speech on March 23, 1775, at the St. John’s Church in Richmond, Virginia. He delivers this speech to try and further the acts of defiance against the British. Henry is trying to convince the president of the meeting, Peyton Randolph, to fight for the freedom of the colonies. In Patrick Henry’s speech, “Speech in the Virginia Convention,” Henry convinces the president of the convention to fight for freedom by using rhetorical devices, such as imperative sentences, rhetorical questions, and logical appeals.

Henry uses imperative sentences in his speech to convince the president of the convention. By using these sentences. listeners at the convention believe in his side of the argument. Henry says, “‘There is no retreat but in submission and slavery!...the war is inevitable and let it come’” (Henry 2). Henry uses these imperative sentences to make the audience feel obligated to do the things he is saying. By using commands he makes the listener connect to the speech and feel the emotions he is feeling as Henry states the speech. Then he further states how they have to “‘abandon the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight!’” (2). By choosing to use commands in this part of the speech the listener can deduce that the subject of the convention is something extremely important to the people. Patrick Henry uses imperative sentences and other rhetorical devices to help the reader relate to the subject and further understand the severity of the subject. 

Henry uses rhetorical questions to make the reader connect to his side of the argument. He uses rhetorical questions to make the audience question their values while he questions them himself; “‘When shall we be stronger? Will it be next week, or next year’” (2). Using these rhetorical questions, the reader thinks about more than just their perspective or their side of the story.  Henry further questions if they “‘shall acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot’” (2). By using a metaphor, and descriptive, harsh words, the reader gets a full picture of what is happening if the colonies do not fight back against Britain. The use of rhetorical devices in this speech helps the reader think about what it truly means to be on their side of the argument. 

Using logic in a speech can sway the audience, and help them believe in Henry’s side of the argument. He uses logistic attempts to sway the loyalist asking if such “gracious reception of our petition comports with these war-like preparations” (1). Telling the audience the full truth about Britain’s army helps them realize that Britain is not going into this unarmed; They are ready to fight the colonists and they think that they will win. Henry continues to tell the colonist that there are “fleets and armies” getting ready in Britain and that the King knows “that force must be called in to win back our love” (1). Using logical facts helps persuade the loyalists in the audience, who are in favor of Britain, and the King. When using logic in this speech, Henry made sure to use logical statements that would anger and contradict the loyalists’ perspectives of the fight for independence.

In Patrick Henry’s lecture, “Speech in the Virginia Convention,” he convinces everyone to fight for freedom by using rhetorical devices, like rhetorical questions, logic, and imperative sentences. When using imperative sentences, logic, and rhetorical questions, Patrick Henry makes the reader question their side of the argument and connect to Henry’s side of the argument. He makes the spectator question why they are on their side of the argument, and why they do not want to be free. Someone who gives a good speech will make the audience question their thoughts and perspective of the problem at topic. So, when writing an extremely good speech someone needs to use logic and make the audience question their perspective and opinion.