Rhetorical Analysis Of Speech To The Virginia Convention By Patrick Henry

In Patrick Henry's "Speech to the Virginia Convention" -March 20, 1775- he utilizes the three pillars of rhetoric which are Ethos, Logos, and Pathos to persuade his fellow delegates to rally with him against the tyranny of Great Britain. Henry knew that he had to persuade the delegates and get their support in order to break out of their oppressive relationship with Great Britain.

In Henry's speech he pulls in his audience by being well mannered and this contributes to Ethos because this generally makes the audience feel more appealed to what he has to say. Henry started his speech off by calling the delegates, "... very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House" (line 2, Henry). Henry's diction was to get his audience to respect him as he does them, so they can consider his argument. This contributes to Ethos because Henry was polite and well mannered and knew it was the best way to approach the audience full of delegates and this was an effective way to draw in the delegates at the beginning of his speech to the Virginia Convention.

This falls into the rhetoric pillar of Logos because Patrick Henry raised awareness of how the colonies were being taken advantage of. He tells the delegates, "We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament." (lines 46-48, Henry). This contributes to Logos, because It is giving the delegates facts about their current situation and Henry states things that they've done to try to prevent a war , but with this information it solidifies his argument to go against Great Britain. His argument can be seen as valid by the delegates so they can side with him against Great