Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!

This week, we started discussing effective persuasive speeches and so this week, I thought it was most fitting to discuss one of the best known persuasive speeches of all time: Patrick Henry's Speech to the Virginia Convention. In this speech, as you history buffs will know, Henry argues for the American Revolution. He argues for liberty from the oppression of the British, and states that he cannot wait any longer for such freedom.  There are several reasons why Henry's speech is so effective. The two biggest things that Henry does to stimulate his audience are (1) he asks rhetorical questions and (2) he uses imagery to convey his point.

One of the first things that Henry does to create a memorable and effective speech is that he uses rhetorical questions. An example of this is when he says, "Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty?" By asking this question, he gets the audience's attention by causing them to think about the implications of the struggle for liberty, as well as what their role, as wise men, is in relation to this struggle. Furthermore, his use of rhetorical questions is strengthened by the fact that he follows each of these questions with a declarative sentence that answers the question.


 Henry also makes use of  imagery to convey his point. He describes the "gale that sweeps from the north" that will bring the "clash of resounding arms." Using this imagery effectively captures the forthcoming struggle for freedom. Henry also uses a recurring image of slavery to describe the condition that the colonists are in. This subtly evokes an appeal to pathos, as the colonists wish to break free of such chains.  Henry also evokes an appeal to pathos through his description of the outcome of waiting until the colonists are stronger by asking if they will be strong when British guards are stationed in every house. He makes his call to action an urgent one, saying that they should take action before it is too late, and the British are even more aware of the colonists' plan for rebellion.

Patrick Henry's speech, especially his line "Give me liberty or give me death!" motivates his audience and it is this ability to stir the colonists to action (ultimately leading to the establishment of the United States) that makes it so memorable.

If you have time, listen to a reading of the speech below: