Directions: Write a developed paragraph in which you evaluate the effectiveness of the various rhetorical elements in either Patrick Henry's speech or Thomas Paine's essay. If you were in the crowd, would Henry/Paine's writing persuade you to support his position?
Be sure to include specific examples from the text in your developed paragraph.
You can find the texts online at the links below:
http://www.history.org/almanack/life/politics/giveme.cfm
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/amrev/north/paine.html
Paine's essay persuaded me to support, because he was a lot easier to understand and he also got straight to the source of the problem he was discussing. He also said "These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered" I think he ment by saying this is that is worth having is easy to acquire. This also made feel like he was going to punch through the Oppression and tyranny of Britain.
ReplyDeleteGood quote choices to support your main claim. Paragraph needs a little more detail and remember to proofread before submitting.
DeleteIn both Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry's works, rhetorical devices were used to persuade audiences, to start and fight for the American Revolution. Patrick Henry, however was a bit more effective, because he was starting the revolution, and appealing to logic as he listed their efforts to peacefully achieve freedom, while Thomas Paine barely mentioned them. However, Thomas Paine's essay was more fitting in a battlefield situation, appealing to a soldier's heart to make him be able to fight a little harder. Also, Patrick Henry's speech was completely non scripted, and that has to be admired, as it is an amazing and eloquent piece that has been quoted for centuries. Both of these inspirational works have been remembered, but Henry used the most effective rhetorical devices, appealing to both minds and hearts.
ReplyDeleteRemember to include quotes and analysis to support your claims! What specifically about Henry's speech was an appeal to logic and why was that effective?
DeleteSince I was absent for Patrick Henry's speech, and therefor have no knowledge of it, I find Thomas Paine's essay more effective. There is quite a lot of appeal to emotion. " The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.". This appeals to moral. It makes you feel like you are important, and you are stronger than most. It makes you feel good about yourself, lets you know you are doing good.
ReplyDeleteYes, it would help me support his opinion.
Nice insight as to how the idea of summer soldier would affect the audience of Paine's speech.
DeleteHenry uses appeal to logic to support his claims with factual evidence. "While our army was collected, Howe dared not risk a battle, and it is not credit to him that he decamped from the White Plains, and waited a mean opportunity to ravage the defenceless Jersies" in this quote he states how they have oppertunity. he uses many rhetorical sentences to back up his claim; for example ". . . . The period is now arrived, in which either they or we must change our sentiments, or one or both must fall. And what is a Tory?"
ReplyDeleteAnd is Henry's speech persuasive? Nice identification of devices.
DeleteBoth Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry's speeches were completely inspirational, although in my opinion, the use of rhetorical devices in Thomas Paine's work were much more persuading. Such as, "The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." In these lines, Paine speaks of "part-time" soldiers who only fight as the time is in their favor. Paine is currently speaking to the soldiers in their time of loss, and as they believe, failure. By using rhetorical devices such as appeal to emotion, and appeal to authority. he inspires them to continue fighting. THEY are the soldiers that continue to fight. THEY are those which others love and thank. If I happened to be in that crowd, I would definitely be captivated and inspired by Paine's speech.
ReplyDeleteInstead of "such as" as introduction to quote, a "for example" or "one example of a persuasive rhetorical device is," would be more effective. Nice use of textual evidence to support your ideas about the text.
DeleteBoth Patrick Henry and Thomas Paine utilized many rhetorical devices in their writings of persuasion for the overall cause of moral boosting. Thomas Paine's essay "The American Crisis," is immensely persuasive in how he claims to the short-comings of the colonists in how they should have acted against the British power sooner to have gained a stronger foothold against them. This is best shown in this quote, " We did not make a proper use of last winter, neither could we while we were in a dependent state." However, he revives the fighting spirit of his audience by finding a scapegoat for the revolutionaries in the British as seen in this quote, "Every Tory is a coward, for a servile, slavish, self-interested fear is the foundation of Toryism; and a man under such influence, though he may be cruel, never can be brave." Patrick Henry on an intense scale uses a strategy of discredit towards the idealism he disfavors. This is best seen in his "Virginia Convention" speech in this quote among others: "Shall we 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?" which appeals to his audience's sense of outrage and forces their unstable opinions towards the other option, to rally and fight the British. Therefore, as the evidence implied in both their writing and results (the revolutionaries being motivated enough to expel the British) both Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry are extremely motivational in their writing and use of persuasive rhetorical devices, specifically the appeal to emotion, and would have even inspired me to fight for their cause due to the previously stated reasons.
ReplyDelete-Dylan Lawson
Solid paragraph and explanations of quotes.
DeleteIt seemed as though Patrick Henry persuaded his readers by concentrating mostly on the point that would connect with whomever was reading it through their personal beliefs. An example of this is is shown in Henry's "Speech in the Virginia Convention;" "Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us." (Lines 20 - 22.) As read, the passage is referring to God, a direct impact in, I'm assuming, a majority of the colonists' belief, that if God (or a God, as Henry states) should watch over and essentially protect them in their feat towards freedom, then the people will be willing to follow. "There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable and let it come!" (Lines 25 - 27.) Here, Patrick Henry is remonstrating about how, if they don't take a head-on course towards the primary conflict of the entire situation, then they'll end up being imprisoned within their confined states by the British monarchy. Thomas Paine, however, his speech was a lot more wordy than Henry's. If I was a soldier and heard Paine's speech, I would be intrigued at first, but for it being so long, the duration of "The American Crisis" would be irritating. Nevertheless, he and Henry share some similar persuasion traits; one would be that they use God towards the people as a sort of anchor of hope: "...that God Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction, or leave unsupportedly to perish, who have to earnestly and so repeatedly sought to avoid the calamities of war..." (Lines 11 - 12 from this website depicting the speech: http://libertyonline.hypermall.com/Paine/Crisis/Crisis-TOC.html.)
ReplyDeleteEffective paragraph that fully answers the prompt! Nicely done.
DeleteIn Thomas Paine's speech, he says "...The summer soldier and and sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman...". This appeal to ethics, along with many others, are what composes the voice of Thomas Paine's speech. In the quote above, he speaks of the praise men will receive for persevering through their dire situation, against all odds, for freedom. Others, such as "...but I should suffer the misery of devils, were I to make a whore of my soul by swearing allegiance to one, whose character is that of a stupid, stubborn, worthless, brutish man..." appeal to ethics by describing what a man does to himself by giving allegiance to the king. Appeals to ethics, such as the one's above, help support Thomas' main points. To me, they are convincing in the way that they make the reader feel as if that what they are doing is the right thing to do, and that they must keep going. In fact, Thomas' speech would most likely convince me to help with the effort if I were alive at the time. I find these appeals to ethics very effective, because they feel honest and directly effective. They do not feel like they are trying to convince you or sell you of something.
ReplyDeleteSolid explanations of the persuasive strategies Paine uses. Make sure to use author's last name in academic writing.
DeletePatrick Henry uses many stratagies to convince the public. In his speech for The Virginia Conference he is trying to convince the other founding fathers to rally up troups and defend themselves against the British. He appeals to logic when he says "We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable but that has all been in vain." He is saying that their situation is not going to get better if they keep doing little things to rebel. that they now need to actually take up arms. He also uses appeal to emotion, i think this is his most effective way to get people pumped for war. " Our bretheren are already in the feild, why stand we here idle." From this quote Henry was trying to say that their friends and brothers have already begun the fight an that they are ready to defend their colony, and that they (the audience) should not justr sit and watch but support their friends and family.
ReplyDeleteSolid analysis of the persuasive effectiveness. Make sure to proofread before submitting.
DeletePersonally, I wouldn't have been on either side for any sort of revolution. I've handled a lot of topics that are very much things I wish to avoid, but the fact is, I'm no activist. I've been looking at Education, Parenting, Children, and social norms in a different light for several years now. Though, I will agree that these are influential men, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" Wouldn't stir me up. (Or, it would, but then I'd go home and d nothing about it.)
ReplyDeletePersonally, I'd say Patrick Henry was the stronger speaker of the two. Maybe it was just because Paine's speech was too long, but I feel that Patrick had a much easier job and, not only that, but he did it with a great energy. His Appeal to Logic as well as intentional kindness easily got the attention of his audience. I'd say that Patrick Henry really knew how to give a speech. Thomas Paine, on the other hand, was a writer. His speech was in a pamphlet he wrote, so it had less power. Not to mention, his job was far more difficult. He needed to convince dying soldiers to not give up the fight. His most obvious Rhetorical strategy was his appeal to Authority, AKA, God. But, in a time where hope is lost, I wouldn't feel any stronger being told that god was on our side than I would that "There's a new Video Game coming out that was in Japan for 8 years before it got to the US! Technology has come to us!" My point is, I wouldn't be shouting for freedom, I'd moaning in an unpleasant state of disarray. So, yeah, Patrick Henry was the better of the two, but opinions are just those.
Remember to use author's last name in academic writing.
DeleteThe rhetorical devices used by Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry in their writings were quite abundant. Both Paine and Henry used some devices of persuasion, such as Appeal to Emotion and Appeal to Authority. In Paine's writing titled "The American Crisis," he uses metaphors and examples as an appeal to emotion. He says "The heart that feels not now, is dead: The blood of his children shall curse his cowardice, who shrinks back at a time when a little might have saved the whole, and made them happy." He is saying that because of the cowardly acts of the people and the "summer soldiers," that the troubles caused by them are now on their hands. I would say that this example and the many other examples from Paine would be awe inspiring from a man like me if I were in the times of the American Revolution.
ReplyDeleteAs for Henry, he uses a more antithesis than anything, along with rhetorical questions. In his Speech at the Virginia Convention, he uses many rhetorical questions and metaphors such as these "And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain." At this moment in his speech, he is preparing to propose his idea, he is telling the convention members that nothing has worked yet, and that his idea may be their only chance of freedom. As for this speech, i'd be quite convinced as well, but in my own opinion, Thomas Paine was more persuasive.
Braedin Gregoire
in the two works, rhetorical devices were used to get the audience to fight for the american revolution. Thomas paine's work was better suited or what was going on at the time. as were Henry's speech was better for starting the revolution, Patrick's was more of a rallying call to the troops that were having second thoughts."I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" was his closing line and sort of the final burst of encouragement to fight for what they wanted. "THESE are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country but he that stands it NOW" his opening line into what was a speech that inspired all of his troops o rally and keep fighting even when it was freezing and dark.
ReplyDeleteNice start answering the prompt, but response needs a bit more detail and explanation. Remember to use author's last name in academic writing.
DeleteIn Patrick Henry's speech, he appeals to authority quite often by saying "Sir..." I found his speech to be inspirational and urging me to fight for my country and free it from Britain's rule.
ReplyDeleteThomas Paine's speech however, would have persuaded me more, saying that we were the "The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country", meaning that we solders who were suffering through the cold and lack of food were to be rewarded rather than the pathetic people who only help out when convenient for them., That we were the ones who deserve the "love and thanks of man and woman".
Overall both of these people made very persuasive speeches and both would have inspired me to fight for my country.
- Joseph Vivilacqua
Patrick Henry and Thomas Paine both use many rhetorical devices in their speeches. In Patrick Henry's speech he uses repetition to sway the opinion of the intended audience to his opinion. Henry uses "Sir..." to show his position and respect for the intended audience. If I were in Henry's audience I would be persuaded.
ReplyDeletePatrick Henry:
ReplyDeleteHenry uses very different rhetorical strategies like the parallel structure in "having eyes,see not, and having ears hear not" or the appeal to logic or emotion.
His speech has to convince the assembly to move war to Britain and for this reason Henry chose to use very polished vocabulary and a very elegant structure for his text.
He also repeated lots of time the word "sir" to keep the attention of the audience on what he was saying and to pleasure his audience giving it importance too.
Thomas Paine:
The most important rhetorical strategy in Paine's text is the appeal to emotion:
He had to motivate an army which was starving and which was suffering a lot because of the cold to keep fighting, and to do this he reminded them that they would suffer together for the war but that one day they'd bring liberty to their families and sons.
Paine also used a very simple vocabulary to speak to his audience; it didn't matter if a man was rich or poor, educated or not, this speech had to convince everybody so it had to be understood by everybody.
Even if they used different rhetorical strategies they both communicated in the right way to their audience, which is the reason why they got what they wanted.
In my opinion, Paine's speech is more effective because it can be understood by a larger audience and it communicated directly with people's heart.
-Giorgia Sasso
Patrick Henry and Thomas Paine are both quite persuasive. They both appeal to emotions and to authority.
ReplyDeleteFor example Patrick Henry says "We are apt to shut our eyes against the painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren until it transforms us into beasts", he is appealing to emotions making people empathize with the idea of not letting people tell them what they have to do.
He also uses antithesis in "having eyes, see not, and, having ears, ear not" which catches the attention of the person that is listening the speech.
On the other hand, Thomas Paine uses appeal to emotion in "These are the times that try men's souls". "God almighty will not give up a people to military destruction, or leave them unsupportedly to perish, who had so earnestly and so repeatedly sought to avoid the calamities of war, by every decent method which wisdom could invent".
Amaia Duran.
In both patrick henry and thomas pain's writing they were both very persuasive.
ReplyDeletei think patrick henry was more persuasive because he used apeal to emotion when he said "our brothern are already at feild" that sound like somthing that would persuade me to fight.
Patrick Henry’s speech uses multiple rhetorical devices, including rhetorical questions, such as when he states, “I ask, gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us; they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing.” Another instance with rhetoric questions is, “Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?” He also uses repetition, such as when he says, “we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight!” This speech would definitely convince me to fight. It uses many rhetorical devices to their best abilities, and the language sounds so powerful and makes me want to do something about these injustices, even though its a little late now. The appeals to logic and emotion complement each other perfectly, and it’s a very convincingly written speech.
ReplyDeleteI think Patrick Henry's speech was more persuasive and complete than Thomas Paine's. He uses a lot of different techniques and is very direct and straightforward to his public --for instance, he repeats the word "sir" a few times to strengthen the context--, and provides the perfect balance of appeals to emotion and logic. However, Thomas Paine gives a large amount of detailed explanations and arguments, and is also very powerful.
ReplyDeletePatrick Henry and Thomas Paine both use many rhetorical devices in their speeches. In Patrick Henry's speech he uses repetition to sway the opinion of the intended audience to his opinion. Henry uses "Sir..." to show his position and respect for the intended audience. If I were in Henry's audience I would be persuaded.Thomas Paine's speech however, would have persuaded me more, saying that we were the "The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country", meaning that we solders who were suffering through the cold and lack of food were to be rewarded rather than the pathetic people who only help out when convenient for them., That we were the ones who deserve the "love and thanks of man and woman".
ReplyDeleteBoth Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry used rhetorical devices to persuade their audience into rising up and fight for the American revolution. Paine said, "These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered."This is an example of how pain used appeal emotion to make the people fired up and rise morals making them feel as though they are fighting for a right and just cause. He also is saying they will be praised for staying ad fighting for the war throughout they are hero's with love and thanks from everyone.
ReplyDelete