The Language of Oratory

Definition The skill of making powerful and persuasive speeches The derived word oration, originally used for prayer since c.1375, now means any formal speech, as on a ceremonial occasion or delivered in a similarly high-flown or pompous manner

The Language of Oratory

Rhetorical devices Personal pronouns Emotive language Sound devices Figurative language Other oratorical devices

Rhetorical

Devices

Rhetorical Devices1) Rhetorical questiona question is asked for effect, but not necessarily needing to be answered.

2) Exaggerationtrying to impress or influence by overstating a viewpoint, statement or idea

Rhetorical Devices

3) Contrast/Juxtapositionwhen two opposite viewpoints, ideas or concepts are placed close to each other for effect.

4) Quotations from well-known sourcessuch as the Bible, television, movies, proverbs and cliches

Personal Pronoun

s

Personal Pronouns1) Pronouns to address the

audiencebasically to address them as a group, but not necessarily to persuade them at this stage.

2) Pronouns to include the audience

speakers want the audience to be on their side and

agree with their ideas/statements.

3) Pronouns to exclude or distance the audience

sometimes we want to distance the audience from

those who have differing arguments

Emotive Language

Emotive Language1) Words with Positive

Connotationwarm fuzzy words to get the audience on your

side.

2) Words with Negative Connotation

the opposite effects to positively charged emotive words

3) Contrast/Juxtapositionpositive and negative words in close proximity can highlight and improve the effectiveness of your

ideas

Sound Device

s

Sound Devices1) Alliterationrepeating the initial consonant of a group of words

for aural effect and impact

2) Assonancerepeating vowel sounds for aural effect and

impact

Sound Devices3) Onomatopoeiathe words used sound like the thing or concept being described

4) Rhyming- words sounding similar that are pleasant to the

ear - listener can almost predict a part of the speech.

Figurative Language

Figurative Language

1) Metaphor- describing two unrelated things using direct comparison. - sometimes the metaphor can be drawn out and becomes an Extended Metaphor.

Figurative Language

2) Similedescribing two unrelated things or ideas using the

linkers “like” or “as”

3) Personificationgiving human qualities to non human or inanimate

things

Other Oratoric

al Devices

Other Oratorical Devices

1) Repetitionhammer home a point and make it memorable

2) Parallel Structurelike repetition, except that phrases and groups of

words are repeated for effect.

3) Listingto emphasise important points