Speech techniques III

Speech techniques III

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Overview
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Marking Student Responses
This task is about recognising techniques used in a college prize-giving speech.
The following excerpts are from a college prize-giving speech.
In each excerpt, bold type indicates a speech-making technique.
The techniques are listed below. 
 
Metaphor Imperative Listing Contrast Exaggeration
Repetition Assonance Use of first person Onomatopoeia
Alliteration Conclusion Humour Understatement Rhetorical questions


Your task is to identify which technique is used in each speech excerpt, and describe its effect. The first one has been done for you.

Question 1Change answer

a) "I am honoured to be here. It's great to be with such a large group of people."
example of feature and effect

Question 1Change answer

b) "Congratulations to the prize winners on your performance, your inquiry, your dedication, and your creativity."
i)  Feature: MetaphorImperativeListingContrastExaggerationRepetitionAssonanceRhetorical questionsOnomatopoeiaAlliterationConclusionHumourUnderstatementUse of first person
 ii) Effect: 

Question 1Change answer

c) "There are new meanings about 'country' that are being discussed by the media, on the web, at conferences, and in classrooms, and this is what I have been invited to talk about tonight."
i)  Feature: MetaphorImperativeListingContrastExaggerationRepetitionAssonanceRhetorical questionsOnomatopoeiaAlliterationConclusionHumourUnderstatementUse of first person
ii) Effect: 

Question 1Change answer

d) "Who are we? What are we? Why are we? Do we sink? Or do we swim? What do we draw from our past into the present to create our future?"
i)  Feature: MetaphorImperativeListingContrastExaggerationRepetitionAssonanceRhetorical questionsOnomatopoeiaAlliterationConclusionHumourUnderstatementUse of first person
ii) Effect: 

Question 1Change answer

e) "The great New Zealand poet, Allen Curnow, addressed the sense of displacement, dislocation, and unease. Tonight, I've brought confidence, optimism, and hopefully some inspiration for the future."
 i)  Feature: MetaphorImperativeListingContrastExaggerationRepetitionAssonanceRhetorical questionsOnomatopoeiaAlliterationConclusionHumourUnderstatementUse of first person
ii) Effect: 

Question 1Change answer

f) "What is the one word that captures the grit, guts, and genius we as New Zealanders consistently and collectively project?"
i)  Feature: MetaphorImperativeListingContrastExaggerationRepetitionAssonanceRhetorical questionsOnomatopoeiaAlliterationConclusionHumourUnderstatementUse of first person
ii) Effect: 

Question 1Change answer

g) "Personally, I am not too keen on the term 'knowledge economy'. It sounds too much like a three-year algebra re-education camp to me – and with my record in mathematics, you'll understand why I am wary."
i)  Feature: MetaphorImperativeListingContrastExaggerationRepetitionAssonanceConclusionHumourUnderstatementUse of first person
ii)  Effect: 

Question 1Change answer

h) "I have got four quick thoughts to leave you with on this important event, as many of you take a next step along the way of your dreams, and others are still putting the pieces together."
i)  Feature: MetaphorImperativeListingContrastExaggerationRepetitionAssonanceRhetorical questionsOnomatopoeiaAlliterationConclusionHumourUnderstatementUse of first person
ii) Effect:
Task administration: 
This task can be completed by pencil and paper or online (with auto-marking).
Level:
5
Curriculum info: 
English, Creating meaning, Speaking
Keywords: 
prepared speech, comprehension
Description of task: 
Students read excerpts from a speech and identify seven features of the language and describe their intended effect on an audience.
Answers/responses: 

 

Y10 (05/2002)
a)   Answers given.  
b)

i)
ii)

 Repetition
Any 1 of:

  • To provide emphasis to the idea of "yours".
  • Provide an attractive rhythm to what is being said.
  • To make a point.
 difficult
moderate

 
c)

i)
ii)

 Listing
Any 1 of:

  • Gives the feeling of having considered all options.
  • To emphasise important points.

moderate
difficult
d)

i)
ii)

 Rhetorical questions
Any 1 of:

  • Sets up the next points as he answers the questions.
  • Get the audience's attention.

easy
moderate
e)

i)
ii)

 Contrast
Any 1 of:

  • Give a balancing of negatives and positives.
  • Two opposite viewpoints or ideas are placed close together for effect.
  • Appears to offer solutions.

very difficult
very difficult
f)

i)
ii)

 Alliteration
Any 1 of:

  • Provides rhythm to the speech and sounds good to the ear.
  • Memorability/catchy

moderate
moderate
g)

i)
ii)

Humour
Attempting to win over the audience by revealing a weakness.

moderate
moderate
h) i)
ii)		 Conclusion
Any 1 of:

  • Signal to audience that the speaker is about to finish.
  • Signal to audience to pay attention - concluding comments are often crafted to make an impression.
 moderate
difficult