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Rhetorical Devices In Ralph's Speech Ap Language Essay

486 Words2 Pages

“Speech is power: speech to persuade, to convert and to compel” -Ralph Emerson. In his speech, Ralph makes use of many rhetorical devices such as anaphors, repetition, and rhetorical questions. To begin, Ralph employs anaphors often in his speech. He uses anaphors to emphasize his points and to bounce from point to point. For example, Ralph exclaims, “We need an assembly. Not for fun. Not for... Not for all these things.” (William Golding, pg. 84). In this example Ralph uses an anaphora, “not for,” to restore order and emphasize the true purpose behind the meeting. Another example is when Ralph adds, “We have lots of assemblies... We decide things. But they don't get done. We were going to have water brought from the stream and left in those coconut shells under fresh leaves.” (William Golding, pg. 85). In other words, Ralph complains about how they have assemblies and make decisions, but nothing gets done and he uses the anaphora, “we”, to emphasize the dysfunctionality of the group. …show more content…

Ralph utilizes repetition to emphasize and make memorable important parts of his speech. In one instance Ralph remarks, “That’s dirty. I said that’s dirty. That’s really dirty!” (William Golding, pg. 86). Here Ralph emphasizes the filthiness of defecating and urinating near the shelters and uses repetition to remind the boys to go near the rocks. In another instance, Ralph declares, “we need an assembly. We need an assembly.” (William Golding, pg. 84). Put another way, Ralph believes the group to be in desperate need of an assembly, so he uses repetition to emphasize that

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