Famous Speeches

Background Information

• Rhetorical devices and appeals employed by Churchill:
  • There are several instances in the speech where Churchill appeals to Ethos to highlight his fitness for the position:
    • (par 1–2) As his commission was received from “His Majesty” and “Parliament” “wishes and wills” his decisions, Churchill indicates that his new commission comes from the highest levels of society, so that we can trust he is the best person for the job.
    • In addition, the “necessity…that this be accomplished quickly” and that this is a time of “urgency and rigor” show that he is a man who can be called upon and trusted during this most dangerous time.
  • Imagery: (Ethos) “blood, toil, tears and sweat” 
    • Churchill conveys that the “very elements of ourselves will be called forth” and it will be unpleasant. “I am like you, I do not have any more than you to call forth, but I will give this. I will sacrifice”
  • Repetition: (Pathos) 
    • The repetition of the word “many” is an appeal for urgency, in for a long time, “much will be asked of everyone.”
    • There is also repetition in lines 46–58 of the word “Victory”—Wage war to indicate that this will be long and arduous, but repeats “victory” to plant the positive outcome in his audience’s mind.
    • “No Survival” —To show urgency of all-encompassing cause
  • Structure: (Ethos) 
    • Sentence structure has an impact on the feel of the speech. The rhetorical questions convey the idea that Churchill has all the answers. The short sentences convey that there is no argument or no alternative. Shows he is a leader because he has thought through the aims and policies. This strategy allows Churchill to frame the argument/ask the questions.