Madeleine Albright Rhetorical Analysis

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In her speech to the graduating class of Mount Holyoke College, Madeleine Albright explains that even though these women feel on top of the world right now, they have so much more to fight for. By using purposeful syntax, parallel structure, and a call to action, Albright establishes an assertive tone that allows the women graduating to understand the need for perseverance and courage to accomplish their goals. Madeleine Albright was the first female Secretary of State, so by speaking at Mount Holyoke College, an all-female university, her audience can be inspired to achieve greatness just as Albright did. Throughout her speech, Albright uses purposeful syntax to explain the decisions that these women have to make. After graduation, these women “could relax” or …show more content…

Women should not lie down and “stop there” because that is expected of them, but they should “have the courage” to stand up even if it is hard. Diving back deeper into the idea that these women can change the world, Albright highlights the need to persevere through hardship by using parallel structures. In multiple paragraphs, she ends the paragraph with “have courage still and persevere”. This sentence drives the point that even though these women can change the world, it will not be easy, but if they have courage and perseverance, they will be able to achieve whatever they want to achieve. They will no doubt be “challenged” and “ridiculed” in their fight, but by emphasizing the need for perseverance, the audience can understand they are fully capable of doing the impossible. To end her speech, Albright calls on her audience to act to make a difference. Throughout her speech, she lists the many ways these women can make a change, but she finally explains that they need “to embrace the faith that your courage and perseverance will make a

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