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Year 10
AQA

Using rhetorical devices to write an effective speech

I can write an effective speech that uses a range of rhetorical devices to persuade my audience.

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New
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Year 10
AQA

Using rhetorical devices to write an effective speech

I can write an effective speech that uses a range of rhetorical devices to persuade my audience.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The status of the recipient defined in your task will indicate the level of formality required in the speech.
  2. Take a clear stance for or against the statement; alternative arguments should be refuted at least once in the piece.
  3. We can employ rhetorical devices to seem relatable to the audience, grab their attention and emphasise key messages.
  4. Your conclusion is your final chance to persuade the audience so use as many relevant rhetorical devices as you can.
  5. A great way to end your speech is to consider what the consequences would be if people don't take action.

Keywords

  • Refute - to prove something wrong or untrue

  • Rhetorical devices - techniques used in writing or speaking to persuade or impact the audience

  • Conclusion - the final part of a text, summarising key ideas and reinforcing the central message

  • Authorial voice - the distinct style or tone that reflects the writer's personality or perspective

  • Emphasise - to give special importance or prominence to something in writing or speech

Common misconception

In the conclusion of your speech, you should introduce one final point that helps to persuade any audience members who haven't been convinced throughout your speech.

Your conclusion isn't really the place to introduce new ideas as it will be tricky for you to fully develop them before you finish speaking. Instead, use the conclusion to summarise your key ideas and reinforce your central message.


To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Using rhetorical devices to write an effective speech, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

This lesson contains a transactional writing task related to whether festivals should be banned. You could change this with a different task more appropriate to the needs of your class. The lesson's tasks and activities would still be appropriate.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
How do speeches differ from letters?
Speeches are written, while letters are spoken.
Correct answer: Speeches rely on verbal delivery and tone, while letters rely on written words.
Speeches are always formal, while letters are always informal.
Correct answer: Speeches require an audience, while letters require a reader.
Q2.
Which of these sentences would be considered informal?
Banning fairs and festivals is a contentious subject.
Correct answer: Banning fairs is not cool.
Banning fairs and festivals can never be justified.
Q3.
Which of these sentences uses personification?
Correct answer: The river begged for relief from the endless pollution.
Recycling is essential for reducing our carbon footprint.
The climate is changing at an unprecedented rate.
We need to conserve water for future generations.
Q4.
To refute something means 'to something wrong or untrue'
Correct Answer: prove
Q5.
The rhetorical device 'onomatopoeia' is when you use words which like what they describe.
Correct Answer: sound
Q6.
What is being described here: 'the language a writer uses to communicate their perspective. This could be sarcastic, hopeful or fun etc.'?
Correct answer: authorial voice
literary theme
rhetorical device
formal register

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is an example of direct address?
Today, I'm going to explore the latest advancements in technology.
Correct answer: You probably agree that the new smartphone features are quite impressive.
Technological progress is rapidly changing our world.
Many people are excited about the future of AI.
Q2.
Which of these is the most appropriate authorial voice to use when delivering a speech to local people about why we should raise money for a new community centre?
formal and detached, using complex language and technical words
Correct answer: conversational and relatable, using colloquial language and personal anecdotes
impersonal and objective, focusing only on statistics and data
highly emotional and dramatic, focusing on the negative consequences
Q3.
Andeep wanted to know why we shouldn't introduce new arguments in the conclusion of our speech. What would we tell him?
Correct answer: it can confuse the audience and take away from the central message
it can contradict earlier arguments and disengage the audience
it can give the impression that the speaker is unprepared or lacks confidence
Q4.
What is being described here: 'a question that doesn't require an answer and instead is designed to make the audience or reader think'?
Correct Answer: rhetorical question, a rhetorical question, rhetorical
Q5.
When we write speeches, we are aiming to ...
Correct answer: seem relatable to the audience.
show that we know more than the audience.
make people laugh.
Correct answer: emphasise key messages.
Q6.
The final sentence of a conclusion to a speech should ...
introduce a new argument to provide additional context.
always be a rhetorical question.
Correct answer: leave a memorable impression.
include and refute a counter argument.