“Speech To The

Virginia
Convention”
by
Patrick Henry
 Persuasion:
Types of Appeals
The goal of persuasion is to convince
people to adopt an opinion, to perform an
action, or to do both.
Effective persuasive writing appeals to
the mind and the emotions of an
audience.
 Persuasion:
Types of Appeals
Three types of appeals that a persuasive
writer may use are as follows:
* logical appeals
* emotional appeals
* ethical appeals
 Persuasion:
Logical Appeals
Logical appeals are based on rational
arguments that support assumptions
already accepted by the audience.
 Persuasion:
Logical Appeals
Lines 31-33:
“Let us not deceive ourselves, sir.
These (fleets and armies) are the
implements of war and subjugation; the
last arguments to which kings resort.”
 Persuasion:
Logical Appeals
“Let us not deceive ourselves, sir.
These (fleets and armies) are the
implements of war and subjugation; the
last arguments to which kings resort.”
It’s logical that if a king sends the
military against you, the king is not
offering peace.
 Persuasion:
Emotional Appeals
Emotional appeals are based on
examples of suffering or potential
threats and tap an audience’s
emotions.
 Persuasion:
Emotional Appeals
Lines 80 - 81:
“Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not
what course others may take; but as for
me, give me liberty, or give me death!”
 Persuasion:
Emotional Appeals
Lines 80 - 81:
“Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not
what course others may take; but as for
me, give me liberty, or give me death!”
1) Religious faith
2) Patriotism
3) Courage
 Persuasion:
Ethical Appeals
Ethical appeals are based on shared
moral values and call upon an
audience’s sense of right, justice, and
virtue.
 Persuasion:
Ethical Appeals
Lines 69 - 74:
“There is a just God who presides over
the destinies of nations.” “The battle …
is to the brave.” “There is no retreat but
in submission and slavery!” “The war is
inevitable – and let it come!”
 Persuasion:
Ethical Appeals
Line 69:
“There is a just God who presides over
the destinies of nations.”
1) Justice
 Persuasion:
Ethical Appeals
Lines 70 - 71:
“The battle … is to the brave.”
2) Virtue
 Persuasion:
Ethical Appeals
Lines 72 - 74:
“There is no retreat but in submission
and slavery!” “The war is inevitable –
and let it come!”
3) Right
 Writing Technique:
Concession to
the Opposition
When writing a persuasive paper, there
are, usually, valid points on both sides of
the argument.
Concession to the opposition means
mentioning some of the valid arguments
against your point.
 Writing Technique:
Concession to
the Opposition
For example, if I were writing a paper
supporting electric cars, I might say
something like this: Although electric cars
are expensive and slow to accelerate,
their benefits far outweigh these
inconveniences.
 Writing Technique:
Concession to
the Opposition
Then I would go on to describe the
benefits of electric cars. I'm writing the
paper as if I were in a verbal debate, and
by acknowledging the downsides of
electric cars, I preempt the
counterargument.
 Writing Technique:
Concession to
the Opposition
Look at the first 6 lines of the speech.
How is Henry conceding?
What is his concession to the opposition?
 Writing Technique:
Concession to
the Opposition
Henry wants to be:
1) Fair & reasonable
2) Open minded
3) Respectful & civil
4) Serious & emphasize importance
 Writing Technique:
Concession to
the Opposition
Henry wants to be:
1) Fair & reasonable (and uses flattery)
“No man thinks more highly than I do of
the patriotism, as well as abilities, of
the very worthy gentlemen who have
just addressed the House.”
 Writing Technique:
Concession to
the Opposition
Henry wants to be:
2) Open minded
“But different men often see the same
subject in different lights.”
 Writing Technique:
Concession to
the Opposition
Henry wants to be:
3) Respectful & civil
“I hope that it will not be thought
disrespectful to those gentlemen, if,
entertaining as I do, opinions of a
character very opposite to theirs.”
 Writing Technique:
Concession to
the Opposition
Henry wants to be:
4) Serious & emphasize importance
“I shall speak forth my sentiments freely
and without reserve. This is no time for
ceremony.”
 Allusion
An allusion is an indirect reference to a
person, place, event, or literary work with
which the author believes the reader will
be familiar.
 Allusion
End of Line 14 & Lines 15 - 16:
“We are apt to shut our eyes against a
painful truth, and listen to the song of that
siren, till she transforms us into beasts.”
In Greek mythology, the Sirens were three
dangerous bird-women, portrayed as seductresses
who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting
music and voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast
of their island.
 Allusion
Lines 25 – 27:
“Is it that insidious smile with which our
petition has been lately received? Trust it
not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet.
Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with
a kiss.”
Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus Christ, identifying
him to soldiers by giving him a kiss. Somebody
who betrays his friend is called a Judas.
Focus – Listen – Learn