Malala Yousafzai Speech Rhetorical Analysis

It is an honor to select a speech for the social justice event. The speech I have chosen uses great rhetorical devices to get the point across. It is by Malala Yousafzai, a girl who was attacked by the Taliban and she originally made this speech on July 12, 2013 at the Youth Takeover of the United Nations. She argues that men and women should have equal rights and education, but mostly focuses on women since they are suffering the most. The purpose of this speech is to persuade everybody especially women to stand up for their rights and inform people about the need for education to stop terrorism. She establishes an assertive and encouraging tone for the audience who may have experienced similar situations or feel the same way as her. In order to get her message out clearly, Malala uses anaphora and persuasive techniques such as ethos and pathos.

Their right to be treated with dignity. Their right to equality of opportunity. Their right to be educated.” The effect of using anaphora in a speech is that it adds drama and it emphasizes the idea being repeated which allows the phrase or idea to stick in your head or be remembered easily. Another use of anaphora was near the end when she says that we call upon the governments, the developed nations, communities, and sisters around the world. Like the first quote, the use of repeating a phrase like,“We call upon” adds drama and makes it easier to remember. The reason Malala wants to affect the audience in this way is so that they remember what everyone’s rights are and what should be done to fulfill these rights such as free compulsory