cshimokita[Photo Forum Moderator]
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During the 'darkest hour' Winston Churchill made some of his most memorable speeches
Jun 30, 2019,05:38 AM
Two days after assuming the role of Prime Minister he gave his opening address to the House of Commons...
"I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat."... "You ask, what is our policy? I can say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air..." "You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival."
The words were not original, the timing and technique were perfect...
"Rhetorical power is neither wholly bestowed nor wholly acquired, but cultivated. The peculiar temperament and talents of the orator must be his by nature. Their development is encouraged by practice." - Churchill (The Scaffolding of Rhetoric - 1897 unpublished)
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Anacoenosis: figure of speech in which an appeal is made to one's listeners for their opinion or judgement as to the subject under discussion. Example: "You ask, what is our policy?"
Anaphora: repetition of a word or words at the beginning of two or more successive verses, clauses, or sentences... Example: "victory" in the quote above.
I am currently reading "Darkest Hour" by Anthony McCarten.
Casey