Speaker’s Choice

Worksheet Description

The worksheet presents an excerpt from DeCarol Davis’s 2008 US Coast Guard Academy Commencement Address. It prompts students to engage with the speech critically by identifying and analyzing the rhetorical device employed by Davis. She utilizes repetition for emphasis, asking the audience to reflect on moments of powerlessness and the humility learned through menial tasks. This technique reinforces the importance of humility and the shared human experience of overcoming adversities.

Students are then challenged to rephrase the quote without using any rhetorical devices, focusing on the speech’s content rather than its stylistic elements. This exercise aims to enhance their understanding of how rhetorical devices shape the impact and reception of a speech. Finally, students must consider the speaker’s choice of device and its effectiveness in conveying the message, encouraging deeper thinking about the purpose and craft of rhetoric in speeches. Through this worksheet, learners gain insights into speechwriting and the strategic use of language to inspire and move an audience.