New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

Understanding what makes a powerful speech

I can identify and explain what makes a powerful speech.

New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

Understanding what makes a powerful speech

I can identify and explain what makes a powerful speech.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Malala’s Nobel speech demonstrates that texts can have multiple purposes in order to engage an audience.
  2. Malala demonstrates an effective use of humour alongside her important messages of education and peace.
  3. Like Malala, successful speeches engage their audiences, through a range of rhetorical devices.
  4. Logos, ethos and pathos give writers different ways of speaking to their readers.

Keywords

  • Activist - someone who is actively engaged in bringing about social, political or environmental changes

  • Advocacy - speaking or acting on behalf of oneself or others to promote a cause or idea

  • Rapport - to create and establish a positive connection between a writer or speaker and their audience

  • Credibilty - to be trustworthy and believable

  • Obligation - a duty or responsibility that someone is required to fulfil

Common misconception

Persuasive, issue based speeches have to maintain a serious tone.

Look at Malala's use of humour and anecdote. By engaging the audience in this way she holds their attention enough to make them listen to the serious messages.

You may wish to watch a recording of this speech with your pupils.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to 'Malala Yousafzai’s Nobel speech' which can be found in the additional materials

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), 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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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the primary purpose of a persuasive speech?
Entertaining the audience.
Educating the audience.
Informing the audience.
Correct answer: Convincing the audience of something specific.
Q2.
Match the rhetorical device to the example that uses it correctly.
Correct Answer:Rule of three,We must change. We must fight. We must win.

We must change. We must fight. We must win.

Correct Answer:Direct address,You have to consider the implications of this.

You have to consider the implications of this.

Correct Answer:Personal anecdote,In my short life I have experienced my own challenges.

In my short life I have experienced my own challenges.

Correct Answer:Rhetorical question,Why do these situations continue to arise?

Why do these situations continue to arise?

Q3.
What is the purpose of using rhetorical questions in a persuasive speech?
to confuse the audience
to provide factual information
to summarise the main points of the speech
Correct answer: to engage the audience and encourage them to think
Q4.
Which of the following is an example of an emotional appeal in a persuasive speech?
Presenting statistical data.
Correct answer: Sharing a personal story.
Citing expert opinions.
Using logical reasoning.
Q5.
What rhetorical devices might a speaker use to create a sense of urgency and importance?
Anecdotes and personal stories
Complex sentence structures and vivid imagery
Correct answer: Repetition and rule of three
Q6.
Which of the following is an example of a persuasive speech topic?
How to use the internet and get online.
Correct answer: Social media is making people more socially anxious.
The history of the internet.
A guide to using social media for marketing.

6 Questions

Q1.
Which word can be described as being trustworthy and believable?
Correct answer: credible
rapport
advocating
obliging
Q2.
Which word beginning with 'A' describes someone who is actively engaged in bringing about social, political or environmental changes?
Correct Answer: activist
Q3.
What is the focus of Malala's 2014 Nobel speech?
Correct answer: women's rights and the importance of education
environmental conservation and climate change awareness
economic development and poverty alleviation
animal rights and welfare advocacy
Q4.
"It is for those forgotten children who want an education. It is for those frightened children who want peace. It is for those voiceless children who want change", is an example of...
direct address
Correct answer: rule of three
rhetorical question
humour
Q5.
Which rhetorical element is being described: 'it creates an emotive response and appeals to an audience’s feelings'?
logos
ethos
Correct answer: pathos
Q6.
In her speech, Malala states that: “[e]ducation is one of the blessings of life—and one of its necessities.” Which rhetorical element is being utilised?
pathos
Correct answer: logos
ethos

Additional material

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