Speech analysis
In this guide we will help you analyze a speech or an address. The focus of such an analysis is usually to study the rhetorical aspects of the speech, such as how the speaker delivers her message and tries to convince her audience.
In the first section of the guide, you can read about how to describe the rhetorical situation of a speech, including aspects such as circumstances, sender, audience, medium and topic(s). It is useful to be aware of these factors, as they can help lay the groundwork for your analysis.
Next, you can read about how to make a detailed analysis of the language and presentation of the speech, considering such elements as composition, stylistic and rhetorical devices, modes of persuasion, argumentation and delivery.
Following the analysis section, you can read about how to use the elements of your analysis to make conclusions about the intention of the speech. This will help you make insightful points about both what the speaker is trying to achieve and how she achieves it.
In case you have been asked to do further work on your speech after finalizing your analysis, we will also offer some advice for assessing speeches or putting them into perspective.
You can also read about various types of speeches, such as a victory speech, inaugural address, state of the union address and TED Talk.
Excerpt
You can read a short excerpt from our analysis guide below: