What rhetoric methods emphasize the tone of Ellen Page’s “Time to Thrive” speech?

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Introduction The usage of rhetorical devices differentiates a speech from a conversation. The speaker carefully chooses how to use devices such as ethos, pathos and logos to emphasize the message that is to be passed onto the audience thorough the speech. A current speech given in the LGTB “Time to Thrive” conference by Ellen Page (American actress) was very impactful. It was the use of certain devices within the speech that aided to create the overall inspiring tone. 1st Paragraph  The speaker has two main aspects to concentrate on when writing a speech which is the subject and the audience. Therefore the speaker, the subject and the audience are all variables that can be changed to support the main focus of the speech. Unless, the speaker has no control over the audience (seems the case in this particular speech) then the speaker and the subject have to be the changed variables.  The speaker is not a usual “face” to be speaking in this particular conference and the first four paragraphs concentrate on that aspect which defies the speaker’s main instinct of creating a relatable environment. In the introduction, the audience’s position in society is established: “people who make it their life’s work to make other people’s lives better” while the speaker portrays being “an actress” lower, less important and less respectful distancing the speaker from the audience even more. Before being relatable, the speaker concentrates gaining the audience’s trust by demonstrating knowledge and respect for what they do to make anyone’s life better.  Since the audience is not used to the speaker it is difficult to give them something to relate to directly in the beginning because it would feel forced and not genuine. Therefore, the speaker h... ... middle of paper ... ..., “Too many dropouts. Too much abuse. Too many homeless. Too many Suicides”. It is as if the more it is repeated, the more real it becomes.  Using rhetorical questions and phrases has the power of emphasizing a message. If the speaker wisely chooses what to repeat and what to ask, the tone of the speech can complete rely on the use of these methods. Conclusion The speech touches upon this generation’s daily struggles.  Overall, the most important aspect to creating a good speech is making decisions based on what “the speaker (keeping in mind that at times the speaker is a character) wants to portray. Ethos, pathos, logos, rhetorical questions, repetition, metaphors and various other methods are merely tools and without Works Cited Page, Ellen. "Time to Thrive." Speech. Time To Thrive HRC. Las Vegas. 14 Feb. 2014. Youtube.com. 15 Feb. 2014. Web. 15 Feb. 2014.

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