Patrick Henry's Ethos Pathos Logos

In 1776, an important event was happening in the United States, the Revolutionary war. The thirteen colonies wanted to break away from Britain’s rule, however the chances of winning were very slim. For this reason, 1/3 of the citizens were for a revolution, 1/3 of the citizens were against it, and 1/3 of them were undecided. Thomas Paine realized that to become a free and independent nation, he would need the help of every citizen in the colonies. Because of this he wrote The Crisis No. 1 to increase the morale of the people, so that they would fight against Britain in the war. In The Crisis No. 1 Thomas Paine effectively used rhetorical devices to convince people to fight in the revolutionary war.

"But when shall we be stronger?" On March 23,1775 Patrick Henry gave his speech at the Virginia convention to persuade people to join and fight against Britain. But they are afraid. Patrick uses pathos throughout his speech by speaking respectfully, and asks rhetorical questions so the audience can feel more connected.

“We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the sound of that siren, till she transforms us into beast,” (Henry 103). During this period of time, everything was brand-new to the colonist. Sometimes, new things can be extremely scary and it might cause fear. The majority of the colonist wanted freedom but were scared to go against Britain’s rule. Families were very emotional because of the lack of freedom, money, and all the people dying. Patrick Henry used the colonists’ fear to help encourage and motivate them into taking a stand and fighting against the British.

The 1770s proved to be a time of much chaos and debate. The thirteen colonies, which soon gained their independence, were in the midst of a conflict with Great Britain. The colonies were suffering from repeated injuries and usurpations inflicted upon them by the British. As a result of these inflictions, Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry addressed these injustices, and proved to be very persuasive through providing reasoning and evidence that moved many colonists to believe that to reach contentment and peace the colonies had to rid themselves of British rule. Henry and Paine were successful in swaying their audience, not only because of the rhetorical strategies used, but also because they were passionate about the cause they were committed

    “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death”(Henry 104). This twenty-word-quote resonates the spirit of courage and motivation in a momentous time during American history. In the midst of the tyranny rule during the colonial-period, unlikely heroes would emerge to lead this country. Patrick Henry’s most effective persuasive technique is pathos, because the emotional rise of his words tugged at the hearts of delegates that convinced them to go to war with England once-and-for-all.

As Henry begins his speech he addressed the opposition with due respect, “But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and therefore, I hope that it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen.” By acknowledging the citizens with different viewpoints, Henry creates a connection with the colonists. He sees that he must show empathy and understanding in order to give the opposing side a chance to actually hear what he has to say. It goes without saying that Henry knows his

Did you or have you ever wanted to go to war?Well if so then this article should show you how some of the people get you rallied up and ready for war. This is the Speech to the Virginia Convention spoken by Patrick Henry. Although many rationalist at that time were persuasive authors in their own right. Henry is considered one of the most persuasive,because he used ethos to add credibility to his cause, pathos to increase emotion and get the crowd involved, and logos in order to show facts and reason for going to war with Britain. Paragraph 2 Pathos: Henry was very patriotic for his country he loved nothing more greater than his country.

Writing to an audience that still lacks the desire to oppose the British, Patrick Henry in his "Speech to Virginia House of Burgesses" focuses on the rights of man and defying oppressors. Through figurative language, rhetorical questions, and diction, Henry heightens the necessity to rise up and fight against the British ruling power over the colonist population in Northern America.

Patrick Henry utilized pathos throughout his speech for emotional appeal that creates fear and strong desire to fight back the British in an “I’m-warning-you” tone through admonishment.

Throughout history, historical events have been relived and experienced by many in the present day through various scriptures and texts. From shocking testimonies, and inspirational speeches to intriguing journal entries, and questionable declarations, literature has allowed society, no matter the time, to go back and learn about past events that helped define the present society. Through these pieces of literature and their literary devices, readers are able to immerse themselves into the past by exposing themselves to historical figures’ persuasions and intentions through their creations. One of these pieces of literature that demonstrates these qualities is Patrick Henry’s Address to the Virginia Convention written in 1775. In Patrick Henry’s speech, he uses literary devices, such as diction, tone and syntax, to help the readers understand and relate to the author’s purpose in calling the Virginia Convention to action for one of the most historical moments in United Stated history, the American Revolution. The author uses these literary devices to persuade and encourage rebellious behavior in the audience, by creating a unifying, inspirational and rebellious tone to get them to support America’s impending fight for freedom, liberty and independence from British oppression.

Our great nation was built upon love for God, knowledge and understanding of human rights, and bare bravery. The start of the foundation work for our country can be marked in the spring of 1775-- a time of great controversy for Americans. Many colonists were divided about the idea of going to war for our freedom from Great Britain. Patrick Henry, a Virginia lawyer, was rightly named "the Orator of Liberty" due to his moving speech in the Virginia Convention. As one of the earliest opponents of British rule, he was very skilled in public speaking and in suggesting Americans break from their mother country. many rhetorical devices, such as ethos, pathos, and logos, were strategically placed, making a stirring plea for his cause.

In the year of 1776, emotions intensify in Colonial America creating an atmosphere prime for dissidence and a yearning for independence. The livid Americans, overtaxed and mistreated by the British after the French and Indian War, debate and argue amongst themselves about the fate of their fledgling colony. The American colonies interested in seeking independence from their motherland Britain, look abroad in hopes of finding moral and political reasons to justify revolution. In the pamphlet, Common Sense, Frenchman Thomas Paine conveys such reasons using rhetorical elements such as figurative language, rhetorical questions, and assertions in order to enhance the morale of the colonists and support the Americans in their revolution against Britain.

In major historical documents, authors often use rhetorical appeals in form of ethos, pathos, and logos. Those are helpful to include Power, Motivation, and Confidence in a speech or text. Patrick henry used Ethos, Pathos, and Logos in hs speech to the Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775, to prepare his audience, who are patrious and christians, for war with Great Britain, because he wants freedom and liberty for the United States.

Thomas Paine, in his renowned work Common Sense, unambiguously uses pathos to call the founding fathers, and the American colonies as a whole, to action against the oppression of the British government. By using explicit figurative language, passionate diction, and the persistent parallel structure used to create correlation between citizen and governing powers, Paine masterfully manipulates the rhetorical appeals and devices in this piece in order to inspire action.