Winston Churchill, prime minister of the United Kingdom, in his speech “We shall fight on the beaches” (1940), illustrates the critical situation after Operation Dynamo, while inspiring hope and courage within British citizens. Using a cause-to-effect mode of argument, Churchill clearly articulates the country's loss of materials and soldiers. However, he uses logical appeal and rhetorical devices, such as anaphora, in order to galvanize the people of Britain, despite the losses. The people of Britain, who are the intended audience, are in need of information and inspiration in relation to the war, and Churchill executes each one of these with the help of appeal, rhetorical devices, and modes of argument. Churchill begins by using consonance to aid with his description of “the German eruption” that “swept like a …show more content…
Not only does the sharp /S/ sound give a sly undertone, but the repetitive /R/ sound also indicates the relentless effort of the Germans. Churchill continues to emphasize on the dire situation with logic and facts. Since King Leopold of Belgium “surrendered his army”, the British army and their means of retreat were exposed. In addition, they “lost nearly as many guns” as men in the north, “nearly one thousand”. Specific events, numbers, and dates help paint the picture of the war in the minds of the British people; furthermore, a cause-to-effect explanation about the aftermath of the Belgian surrender allows for easy comprehension of the battle of Belgium. After illustrating the war, Churchill appeals to his audience's emotions by acknowledging the perseverance and compassion of British troops. These soldiers “had to operate,…often in adverse weather…and an increasing concentration of artillery fire”; however, they “carried on, … [always] bringing with them men whom they had rescued”. In preparation for the call for action, Churchill inflicts feelings of patriotism and pride because