Rhetorical Devices

Rhetoric is persuasion's craft. 'I have a dream' repeats (anaphora). 'We shall fight on the beaches' builds (parallelism). 'Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country' inverts (chiasmus). Indirect aim: civic discourse, preparation for debate, resistance to manipulation.

• Framework: Montessori
• Unit: Language
• Learning area: Style & Figurative Language
• Level: Ages 8-10

Objectives

• Identify repetition (anaphora), parallelism, chiasmus in speeches
• Analyze why devices persuade
• Compose original rhetorical lines
• Apply to public speaking

Materials

• Famous speeches (MLK, Lincoln, Churchill)
• Rhetorical devices chart
• Recording for practice
• Writing journal

Instructions

1. Read MLK's 'I Have a Dream'. Mark every 'I have a dream'. 2. That's anaphora — repeated opening. 3. Read Churchill: parallelism. 4. Read Kennedy's inaugural: chiasmus. 5. Why do these work? Rhythm. Memory. Emphasis. 6. Compose own anaphoric lines. 7. Give a 2-min speech using one device. 8. Record and review.

Educator tip

Great speeches decoded are accessible to children. Don't dumb down.

Assessment

Observe device identification, original composition, and speech delivery.

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