English Master Set : Speech Analysis

Speaker

The person / voice that tells the story / gives the speech

Occasion

The time and place of the piece; the context that prompted the speech

Audience

The group of listeners to which the speech is directed

Purpose

The reason behind the speech / its aim

Subject

The main idea or point; can be easily explained

Tone

The attitude and emotions of the speaker

Rhetorical question

A question that is not expected to be answered

Personal anecdote

A short story about an experience in the speaker's life

Inclusive language

Using words such as 'we', 'our', 'us' and 'them'

Tricolon

Repeating something three times with similar length and form

Emotive language

The use of select language and techniques to evoke emotion

Anaphora

Repeating the beginning of a sentence

Simile

Comparing one thing to another using 'like' or 'as'

Repetition

Saying something multiple times, be it a word or a phrase

Metaphor

Comparing one thing to another by saying it 'is'

Rule of three

Repeating things three times, eg. Three adjectives, three body paragraphs

Sensory imagery

Using words and phrases that appeal to the five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste and touch

Humor

Using jokes and comedy

Trivialising

Using words like 'just', 'simply', 'only' and 'hardly'

Personification

Applying human characteristics to something non-human / abstract ideas

Kairos

How timely the speech is, if it uses undated references, mentioning current events

Ethos

How credible the speaker is, if they are well educated on the topic of discussion

Logos

Using logic and evidence in a speech to back up points, reasoning

Pathos

Using empathy and descriptive language to appeal to the audiences emotions

Invective

Vehement or violent denunciation, censure, or reproach; a railing accusation; an insulting or abusive word or expression

Euphemism

The substitution of a mild, indirect or vague expression for one thought to be offensive

Hyoerbole

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally. Can be used humorously

Pauses

A break in speech, often used to add dramatic effect

Onomatopoeia

Using sound words, eg. Bang, pop, crash

Assonance

Resemblance of sound between two nearby words

Alliteration

The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words

Allusion

Reference to a person or text outside the current situation

Symbolism

Using a tangible object or sign to represent an idea. Used in storytelling or anecdotes

Motif

A recurring idea that represents the theme, repeated throughout the text