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Unit 2: Nonfiction Speeches Truth is not only stranger than fiction, it is more telling. To know that a thing actually happened gives it a poignancy, touches a chord, which a piece of acknowledged fiction misses. —W. Somerset Maugham <skip intro> What is nonfiction? • Nonfiction is prose writing that explores real – – – – – lives places things events ideas What are the most popular forms of nonfiction? • The most popular forms of nonfiction are – – – – – – biographies autobiographies memoirs essays speeches informational text What are your favorite types of nonfiction? • • • • Biographies Self-help books Autobiographies Newspaper, magazine, and Internet articles • Eyewitness accounts of newsworthy events • Essays • Memoirs What are the purposes of nonfiction? • To entertain readers • To enlighten readers by providing information, explanation, or instruction • To persuade readers to understand a particular viewpoint • To offer advice or guidance for readers • To present snapshots of the human experience for readers Speeches • Many of the world’s great leaders have used speeches to change the course of history. • The following people have made historically significant speeches during moments of crisis: – – – – – – Martin Luther King Jr. Chief Seattle Abraham Lincoln Sojourner Truth Susan B. Anthony Winston Churchill Speeches • Other memorable speeches have been given at turning points in the lives of coaches and professional athletes. • The following people made memorable speeches that continue to inspire audiences: – Babe Ruth – Knute Rockne – Lou Gehrig Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel. —Ralph Waldo Emerson How can the power of words effect change? What makes a speech historically significant or memorable? Speeches • A speech is a public address written to be delivered orally. • A speech may be classified as formal or informal, depending on the situation in which it is presented. Formal Speeches • A formal speech – – – – – – – – is often presented in a planned situation requires preparation by the speaker uses conventional language and syntax has a clear purpose presents a main idea and supporting examples contains logical, emotional, and ethical appeals sets an emotional tone has a unifying theme Informal Speeches • An informal speech – – – – – – – is often presented in an unplanned situation requires little preparation by the speaker may use casual language and syntax has a clear purpose presents a main idea and supporting details contains logical, emotional, or ethical appeals sets an emotional tone Which of the following is an example of a formal speech? A. a political speech B. a sermon C. a commemorative speech D. a dedication speech E. All of the above E is correct! All of these types of speeches are delivered in a predetermined, formal setting. Types of Speeches • There are three major types of speeches: – impromptu speeches – memorized speeches – extemporaneous speeches Impromptu Speeches • An impromptu speech requires no advance preparation. • Examples of impromptu speeches include – award acceptance speeches – team pep talks – informal dinner toasts What are the advantages and disadvantages of an impromptu speech? Advantages Disadvantages Memorized Speeches • A memorized speech is written in advance and memorized word for word. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a memorized speech? Advantages Disadvantages Extemporaneous Speeches • In an extemporaneous speech, the speaker refers to notes or an outline occasionally. • Several famous speeches were extemporaneous. – John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address is one example. – The line “Ask not what your country can do for you…ask what you can do for your country” comes from this speech. What are the advantages and disadvantages of an extemporaneous speech? Advantages Disadvantages Elements of Speeches • Most speeches share the following common elements: – an established purpose – a main idea – the use of rhetorical devices • These elements may be easier to identify when analyzing written versions of speeches. Purpose of Speeches • The two most common purposes for giving a speech are – to explain something to listeners – to convince others to accept a position and respond in some way • Many memorable speeches are persuasive speeches given to inspire change. For example: – Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech – Nelson Mandela’s “Glory and Hope” speech Main Idea of Speeches • The main idea of a speech is the central message that the speaker is trying to get across to listeners. • Sometimes, the main idea of a speech is stated. • More often, the main idea of a speech is implied. Main Idea of Speeches • Good speakers understand the need to support their main idea. • Types of support for a main idea include – logical evidence that appeals to listeners’ minds – emotional language that appeals to listeners’ hearts – ethical arguments that appeal to listeners’ values • Elie Wiesel uses emotional and ethical support in his “Keep Memory Alive” speech. And now the boy is turning to me: “Tell me,” he asks. “What have you done with my future? What have you done with your life?” And I tell him that I have tried. That I have tried to keep memory alive, that I have tried to fight those who would forget. Because if we forget, we are guilty, we are accomplices. And then I explained to him how naïve we were, that the world did know and remain silent. And that is why I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. —from “Keep Memory Alive,” by Elie Wiesel Rhetorical Devices • Speakers also use rhetorical devices to appeal to the emotions and ethics of their listeners. • Rhetorical devices are techniques used by speakers to achieve a particular effect on listeners. • Three common types of rhetorical devices are – parallelism – repetition – rhetorical question Parallelism • In parallelism, the writer emphasizes the equal value or weight of two or more ideas by expressing them in the same grammatical form. Repetition • Repetition is a writer’s intentional reuse of a sound, word, phrase, or sentence. • Writers often use repetition to emphasize ideas. Elie Wiesel uses both parallelism and repetition in “Keep Memory Alive.” I remember: it happened yesterday or eternities ago. A young Jewish boy discovered the kingdom of night. I remember his bewilderment. I remember his anguish. It all happened so fast. The ghetto. The deportation. The sealed cattle car. The fiery altar upon which the history of our people and future of mankind were meant to be sacrificed. —from “Keep Memory Alive,” by Elie Wiesel What is the effect of these rhetorical devices? Rhetorical Question • A rhetorical question is a type of question that is asked for effect but is not meant to be answered. • A rhetorical question is meant to get listeners thinking about something. Chief Seattle asks rhetorical questions in his speech “Yonder Sky That Has Wept Tears of Compassion.” How then can we be brothers? How can your God become our God and renew our prosperity and awaken in us dreams of returning greatness? —from “Yonder Sky That Has Wept Tears of Compassion,” by Chief Seattle Why do you think Chief Seattle chose to use rhetorical questions in his speech? Ethos, Pathos, and Logos • When speakers give persuasive speeches, they use a variety of techniques to get others to adopt their point of view. • One way that persuasive speakers form arguments is by establishing ethos, pathos, and logos. Ethos • Ethos refers to the character of the person giving the argument. • To establish ethos in a persuasive argument, speakers – align themselves with others known for their expertise or goodness – show that they share the values of their audience – acknowledge other viewpoints Pathos • Pathos is persuasion based on arousing emotions. • Pathos provides a personal appeal that has the power to move listeners, change attitudes, and produce actions. Logos • Logos is based on logic, or reason. • A person who uses logos strives to convince the audience through a clear, logical argument that his or her position is the correct one. SUMMARY: Speeches • An effective speech – – – – has a clear purpose and audience has a relevant main idea and supporting examples uses logical, emotional, and ethical appeals incorporates rhetorical devices to achieve a particular effect – establishes ethos, pathos, and logos