What are specific rhetorical devices…?
How did the speaker address arguments and counter arguments?
Were the speaker’s arguments effective?
Kane: with one purpose only: to point out and make public the dishonesty, the downright villainy, of Boss Jim W. Gettys' political machine -- now in complete control of the government of this State! I made no campaign promises, because until a few weeks ago I had no hope of being elected.
Now, however, I have something more than a hope. And Jim Gettys -- Jim Gettys has something less than a chance. Every straw vote, every independent poll shows that I'll be elected. Now I can afford to make some promises!
The working man -- The working man and the slum child know they can expect my best efforts in their interests. The decent, ordinary citizens know that I'll do everything in my power to protect the underprivileged, the underpaid, and the the underfed!
Well, I'd make my promises now if I weren't too busy arranging to keep them.
Here's one promise I'll make, and boss Jim Gettys knows I'll keep it: My first official act as Governor of this State will be to appoint a Special District Attorney to arrange for the indictment, prosecution, and conviction of Boss Jim W. Gettys!
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My thoughts:
1. I don't know how to find the rhetorical devices.. I need help on that one.
2/3. I don't see any specific arguments and counter arguments at all. It's just Kane bashing Gettys over and over.. so I cant find any and I cant say they're effective...
Edit..
I decided he's using pathos as one of the rhetorical devices. but what else?
http://www.virtualsalt.com/rhetoric.htm
http://www.uky.edu/AS/Classics/rhetoric.html
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/rhetoricaldevicesinsound.htm
That helps. Thanks!
You're very welcome!
=)
To identify the rhetorical devices used in the given passage, we can look for specific techniques that the speaker employs to make their message more persuasive or impactful. There are several common rhetorical devices that we can explore:
1. Repetition: The repetition of phrases such as "the working man," "the slum child," and "the decent, ordinary citizens" emphasizes the speaker's commitment to these groups and reinforces their message.
2. Hyperbole: The use of exaggeration when the speaker describes Boss Jim W. Gettys as engaging in "dishonesty" and "downright villainy" adds intensity and emotional appeal to the argument.
3. Parallelism: The parallelism in statements like "the underprivileged, the underpaid, and the underfed" enhances the rhythm and structure of the speech, making it more memorable.
4. Irony: The sentence "I'd make my promises now if I weren't too busy arranging to keep them" employs irony, as it suggests that the speaker is already taking action instead of making empty promises.
Considering the speaker's addressing of arguments and counterarguments, it appears that the given passage focuses more on making a persuasive case against Boss Jim W. Gettys rather than explicitly engaging with opposing viewpoints. The speaker presents themselves as the champion of the working class and highlights their commitment to protecting the underprivileged.
Regarding the effectiveness of the speaker's arguments, it is subjective and open to interpretation. The effectiveness can depend on the audience's perception, their prior knowledge of the political situation, and the extent to which they are convinced by the speaker's rhetoric. As a reader, you have not provided any personal opinion on whether you find the arguments effective or not.