Question

Authors and speakers often use rhetorical devices to make their messages more compelling.One type of rhetorical device is parallel construction (repeated phrasing or sentence structures).How does Churchill use this device in his 1940 speech to Parliament, and how does it add to the speech? Include examples from the text.
Make sure that your paragraph includes:



A topic sentence (restate the question) 2 pts
Details from the text which may include quotations but should also contain your own

Answer 1

Churchill makes use of parallel construction partically in the last paragraph of our exerpt. He gradually builds his case and concludes in a way to raise people to his cause. He repeatedly begins his sentences with "We shall.." This makes it sound like he already has a recruitment of people on his side- whether or not he does we do not know. "We shall not flag nor fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France and on the seas and oceans; we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air. We shall defend our island..." This is an extremely effective and commonly used rhetorical device.

Answer 2

Churchill frequently uses parallel construction by repeating words that express the same or similar ideas:

We shall not flag nor fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France and on the seas and oceans; we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air. We shall defend our island whatever the cost may be; we shall fight on beaches, landing grounds, in fields, in streets and on the hills. We shall never surrender and…

The repetition of the phrase “We shall” conveys determination and a sense of purpose. It arouses the audience's emotions, making the speech captivating, inspiring, and memorable. It also draws the audience’s attention to Churchill’s central idea of never quitting. PLATO