英语演讲中的修辞手法Rhetoric Device in English Speech
英语演讲中的修辞手法
Foreword A speech is not only a simple formal talk but a kind of encouraging language with artic charm by using all kinds of lingual skills. Speech is a unique style. It expresses thoughts, feelings, and ideas orally to audience through a series of well-organized, well-prepared words or sentences with the aim of evoking some feelings of the listeners. Therefore, to make a successful speech, one ought to use formal, vivid languages as well as many figures of speech. The success of a speech is often attributed to the skill of the orator, with merit being given to orators who are confident, articulate, knowledgeable and able to deliver a speech with conviction.
Persuading an audience to take action involves more than a speaker sharing what he knows about a topic. Speeches are intended to get listeners to accept a particular point of view, and then motivate them into action. The challenge in writing this kind of speech is in delivering a message that will win others over in sharing the same principles as the speaker. You must use words in such a way as to convince listeners that the speaker's opinion is reliable. The art of giving a persuasive speech is as much about using language effectively as it is about communicating a convincing argument.
Obviously, one of the major factors to be a good or a bad speech is whether the use of rhetoric is appropriate or not. It can be found that the use of rhetoric plays a very important role in content. The definition of rhetoric is applying many language materials and various expressive devices to manifest the orator‘s purpose appropriately. Without the use of rhetoric, absolutely, there is no good content. Therefore, it is necessary to make an analysis and study on this subject.
The whole thesis is concerned about the use of rhetoric in English speech, and the thesis is divided into three parts. The first part talks about the definition and function of speech. The second part illustrates the definition and function of rhetoric. The third part makes a
carefully study on the use of main rhetorical devices in English speech, such as, simile, metaphor, parallelism, alliteration and repetition, antithesis , rhetorical question and so on. 1．Speech
1.1 The Definition of Speech
One of the definitions of speech which is a formal talk that a person gives to the audiences, to express his/her views or emotions on a specific issue, or to conduct propaganda activities so as to achieve inspiring the audience and promote its action as a information-sharing activities. The benefit of a speech is obvious —mass communication. Orators want to engage audience's attention, convey their ideas in a logical manner and use reliable evidence to support their point.
Speech can be made in a small event as a marriage or a little party as president of a country make it to be closer his people. The opportunity arises in everybody's life to give a speech. In its simplest form, a speech is a retelling of events. It can be overwhelming to an introverted individual to think about giving a speech, so knowing the four types of speeches and their purposes can help alleviate some of the pressure. An inspirational speech inspires, an informative speech informs, a persuasive speech persuades and special occasion speeches vary, but only due to the special occasion.
1.2 The Function of Speech
\conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.\is part of a two-minute speech given by Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg. He knew that speeches were more than just a bunch of words. Some believe that the power of life and death are in the tongue. This speech was powerful.
The purpose of making a speech can range from simply transmitting information, to motivating people to act, to simply telling a story. Good orators should be able to change the emotions of their listeners, not just inform them. Making a speech can also be considered a discourse community. Interpersonal communication and speeches have several components that embrace such things as motivational speaking, leadership/personal
development,
business,
customer
service,
large
group
communication, and mass communication. Speeches can be a powerful tool to use for purposes such as motivation, influence, persuasion, informing, or translation.
All kinds of speech have one common aim: to convince people to take a form of action. Therefore, they are called speeches of action, and the best way to accomplish that is through motivation.
Another purpose to be accomplished through speech is to reinforce listeners‘ existing attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, opinions, or values. You would simply reiterate a few powerful arguments to reassure our listeners and strengthen their position. Contents ABSTRACT I 摘 要 II Foreword 1 1．Speech..2
1.1 The Definition of Speech….2 1.2 The Function of Speech……2 2．Rhetoric.3
2.1 The Definition of Rhetoric 3 2.2 The Function of Rhetoric….4
3. An Analysis of Rhetoric in English Speec4 3.1 Simile 4 3.2 Metaphor 6 3.3 Parallelism 7 3.4 Repetition 9 3.5 Alliteration 11 3.6 Antithesis 12
3.7 Rhetorical question 14 4．Conclusion 15 Bibliography 16
Acknowledgements 1527
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英语演讲中的修辞手法 摘 要
演讲，是在听众面前就某一问题表达发表自己的见解,抒发情感，或进行宣传鼓动从而达到感召听众并促使其行动的一种信息交流活动的正式演说。
修辞是一种重要的语言表达手段，是用简单具体且充满想象的方法将抽象复杂的思想或进程阐释出来，能够促进情感的传递和思想的表达。
修辞存在于各种文体之中，尤其在演讲中起着极为重要的作用，是影响英语演讲成败的关键。论文从分析演讲及修辞的定义和功能出发，认真研究了主要修辞手段在英语演讲中的作用，包括明喻、暗喻、排比、头韵、重复、对偶和设问等修辞手段，旨在更好地欣赏演讲，并学习一些演讲中的语言技巧，从而对演讲进一步理解。关键词：英语演讲 ; 修辞 ; 功能 ABSTRACT Speech, a formal talk that a person presents to the audiences, to express his/her views or emotions on a specific issue, or to conduct propaganda activities so as to achieve inspiring the audience and promote its action as a information-sharing activities. Rhetoric is one kind of important expressive device in language. It refers to interpreting abstract and complex ideas or processes through simple and concrete methods. Since rhetoric is full of imagination, it can promote the transmission and communication of emotions and ideas.
Rhetoric exists in writings with various styles, especially, in speech. Rhetoric plays a very important role in English speech, acting as a key element for the success of a speech. The thesis, based on the respective studies of the definition of speech and rhetoric, makes a careful analysis of the use of main rhetorical devices in English speech, including simile, metaphor, parallelism, alliteration, repetition, antithesis, rhetorical question and so on, targeting at better appreciating English speech, and learn more about the language skills in speech, so as to promote the further understanding of speech.Key Words：English speech; rhetoric; function
A third purpose of making a speech is to convince people to change their attitude toward a particular subject. In your speech, try to capture their goodwill immediately. You would follow with some strong arguments for your position and elaborate on them. Then you might introduce statistics and other evidence accompanied by visual aids as you discuss
your argument.
Anyone who goes to church understands the effects that speeches are capable of producing. Sermons are always given to change, or reinforce, personal lifestyle. When a man is ready to propose, he writes and rehearses the words he chooses to win the heart of a woman. People of high social status use speeches to influence others. Words are the most powerful medium on this planet and can crush or heal self-esteem. A single phrase can mean different things by adding elements like raised or lowered pitch and volume, or by emphasizing different words in the phrase. All of these are important aspects to giving a speech.
2．Rhetoric
2.1 The Definition of Rhetoric
What is rhetoric? There have been many studies from scholars as the human civilization reaches this advanced and highly – developed society. Rhetoric originated in speaking. Aristotle, in the 4th Century BC, first defined rhetoric is rhetoric as the art of persuasion. He said, ―Rhetoric is the counterpart of the dialects.‖ In Athens, the centre of western civilization, great orators, by exercising their rhetoric, gained following and support, and eventually, political power. John Locke, English philosopher of the late 17th century, described rhetoric as ―the science of oratory,‖ or ―the art of speaking with propriety, elegance and force.‖ This explains why the word ―rhetoric‖ refers to ―speaking‖ in many European languages, such as Greek, Latin, French, etc.
In present day, the meaning of rhetoric has been extended. Rhetoric assumes the following characteristics, that is, the elaborated and exaggerated language, the art of using language effectively and persuasively, the skills of using language effectively, the structure of verbal communication.
No matter for speaking or writing, rhetoric emphasizes its importance in the effective communication. American linguists Cleanth Brooks and Robert Penn therefore wrote in their Modern Rhetoric, ―Rhetoric is the art of using language effectively.‖ In the dictionary Oxford Advanced learner‘s English-Chinese Dictionary (6th edition) the definition for rhetoric is ―the skill of using language in speech or writing in a special way that influences or entertains people.‖ Rhetoric is an art to use language effectively with special aims.