Rhetorical Analysis of Speeches in to Kill a Mockingbird, Battle of Falkirk, and Brave Heart

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We should study spoken language as it is truly unique and we can see the effect and beauty of spoken language in works of great orators and writers. Spoken language is truly an art, which involves many techniques to perfect and master it. One of the techniques is rhetoric. Rhetoric is the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing. The ancient Greeks first developed public speaking. Under Roman, influence public speaking developed further. This was heavily under the influence of Cicero and Aristotle. The speeches I have chosen to study are the closing speech of Atticus Fitch in the novel to “Kill a Mockingbird” and the “Battle of Falkirk” by William Wallace in the movie “Brave heart.”

Atticus’s speech occurs in a courtroom in Maycomb in Alabama State at the trial of Tom Robinson, who had been accused of raping a white woman. This was in the 1930s. Alabama was in the Deep South was very racist at the time. Mrs Maudie said “Atticus Fitch won’t win, he cant’t win”. The purpose of Atticus' speech was to raise the issue of Tom Robinson's trial and to prove his innocence. Atticus acknowledges the jury's difficult position in having to overcome the malaise of racial prejudices and segregations in the society. Despite this, Atticus strives to convince the jury to execute an impartial and just ruling.

Atticus’s opening statement was forceful, empathetic and direct. From the outset, Atticus’s tone is full of confidence and is composed. Atticus adds more impact of this opening statement by speaking clearly and slowly allowing the audience to savour every word he spoke. Atticus stated that “The State” had not produced one “iota” of evidence this is definitive and undeniable, as they have to reply on the testimony of two witnesse...

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...the end in Scottish Celtic is not just an affront to the English but it reminds the men of their heritage and tradition and motivates them to fight for what is rightfully theirs. This would have been highly inappropriate for Atticus to commit such an act in a courtroom. William Wallace was like Atticus in being composed and confident however, his purpose and techniques he used to motivate his audience contrasted greatly.

William Wallace’s uses of techniques were successful as he was able to motivate the Scottish to fight the English. Atticus despite his techniques and use of spoken language he was unable to motivate the jury to find Tom Robinson innocent. However, I feel that Atticus Fitch’s speech was more emotive and motivational because he used his techniques carefully and with precision and he did the most he could but “Atticus Fitch won’t win he can’t win.”

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