A Rhetorical Analysis Of Emma Watson

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Emma Watson in the Speech "He for She Campaign at the UN" claims that men may be the unlikely feminists to bring the world closer to gender equality. Watson supports her claim by using first-hand accounts to illustrate what growing up as a woman means. The author's purpose is to persuade men and United Nations viewers that sitting back is not an adequate option to achieve gender equality. The author writes in a passionate tone for UN viewers. This text effectively uses syntax, repetition, and diction, to convince men, world leaders, and UN viewers, of the importance of men and listeners joining the fight for gender equality. Watson uses the strategy of repetition to convey a tone of passion and connect herself to the topic of gender equality. Watson says "feminism by definition is …show more content…

Watson's speech starts with "I am reaching out to you because we need your help." The speech ends with " I invite you to step forward, to be seen, and to ask yourself, if not me, who? If not now, when?" Watson is using the method of syntax, which is visible when she starts her speech by calling "you" to action and ends her speech by again inviting "you" to step forward. The speech is organized to end the same way it started, the parallels between these quotes motivate listeners by inflicting an emotional response. Watson states "And, the more I spoke about feminism the more I realized that fighting for women's rights had too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain, it is that this has to stop." Watson, without hesitation, makes it clear to male listeners that they are not the enemy. Men who previously heard the word feminism and associated it as combative can listen to the whole speech with a fresh perspective. With the use of syntax, Watson addresses any doubts, specifically from men, at the start of her speech to fully engage the