Multiple Choice

Worksheet Description

This worksheet is a practical tool for students to identify and understand various rhetorical devices used in historic speeches and writings. The first quotation from Jesse Jackson’s speech at the 1984 Democratic National Convention requires students to identify the rhetorical device he employs when expressing his feelings about Geraldine Ferraro’s nomination. The second excerpt from Henry Kissinger’s memo illustrates a different device, prompting students to consider how repetition of structure can impact a message. The third quote from Ted Kennedy’s eulogy for Ted Kennedy Sr. provides an example rich with rhetorical strategies, challenging students to dissect complex language and its purpose.

The exercise not only aids in recognizing rhetorical figures such as apostrophe, analogy, and allusion but also engages students in critical thinking about why speakers choose these particular devices and how they influence the audience’s perception and understanding. By analyzing these excerpts, students can appreciate the power of rhetoric in shaping influential messages and the artistry involved in their construction. This analysis enhances students’ comprehension and their own communication skills, as they learn to apply these techniques in their writing and speaking.