Patrick Henry Rhetorical Devices

This packet includes:

• Student Background Information (4 pages): Provides context about Patrick Henry’s Give Me Liberty speech and it explains the use of rhetorical devices in the speech by examining selected quotes.

• Making Allusions Work worksheet: Students understand audience in order to make effective use of allusions

• Identifying Allusions worksheet: Students practice identifying the source of sample allusions and explaining its meaning

• Alluding To The Past worksheet: Students use historical references to write their own allusions

• Questioning Techniques worksheet: Students identify questioning methods, such as mock conversation and expressing an emotion, before identifying the intent of rhetorical question examples

• What Do You Think worksheet: Students develop a metacognitive understanding for why writers use rhetorical questions.

** A Note About Religion **

This curriculum packet is written from a secular perspective. However, when teaching about allusions, no discussion is complete without acknowledging the myriad religious references found in literature and great speeches – including Patrick Henry’s Give Me Liberty speech. Every effort has been made to present the limited discussion on religious references in an objective and nonsectarian manner.

** Using This Packet **

(1) Print-and-go with self-directed, independent learners who have already mastered your social studies content.

(2) Integrated as a writing supplement to any pre-Revolutionary history lesson - using as small-group activities.

(3) Use as alternative assignments for high school students who need extra practice with expressive language skills.

NOTE: This packet does *not* explicitly nor thoroughly analyze Patrick Henry's Give Me Liberty speech. Selected quotes from the speech are used to connect history with writing.