When writing a speech, the goal is to make it effective. But what makes an effective speech? Effective speeches are the ones that people remember and talk about long after they are delivered. The content lingers in the minds of the audience. Incorporating figures of speech and the tools of rhetoric are ways to create an emotional effect that resonates with an audience. If your speech connects with the audience, then it is effective.
Rhetorical strategies are often included in effective speeches because they emphasize the main idea and have an emotional effect. If either the main idea or the emotion is lost in a jumble of words, then the audience becomes disconnected and uninterested. Another important factor that affects the effectiveness of a speech is the speaker. For instance, an effective speaker speaks clearly, connects with the audience, has confidence, makes eye contact, and paints a clear picture with their words. These are all strategies that help make a speech effective.
Malala's speech includes several elements that make it effective. She incorporates interesting content, emotion, and rhetorical strategies. Take a closer look at a portion of her speech. See if you can find parts that stand out and make her speech memorable.
"Today, I am focusing on women’s rights and girls’ education because they are suffering the most. There was a time when women activists asked men to stand up for their rights. But this time we will do it by ourselves. I am not telling men to step away from speaking for women’s rights, but I am focusing on women to be independent and fight for themselves. So dear sisters and brothers, now it’s time to speak up. So today, we call upon the world leaders to change their strategic policies in favor of peace and prosperity. We call upon the world leaders that all of these deals must protect women and children’s rights. A deal that goes against the rights of women is unacceptable.
We call upon all governments to ensure free, compulsory education all over the world for every child. We call upon all the governments to fight against terrorism and violence. To protect children from brutality and harm. We call upon the developed nations to support the expansion of education opportunities for girls in the developing world. We call upon all communities to be tolerant, to reject prejudice based on caste, creed, sect, color, religion or agenda to ensure freedom and equality for women so they can flourish. We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back. We call upon our sisters around the world to be brave, to embrace the strength within themselves and realize their full potential."
Read each statement in the table below. How does the statement help make Malala's speech effective? Click on the statement to compare your thoughts with a sample answer.
| Today I am focusing on women's rights and girls' education because they are suffering the most. | This statement, even though it is more than halfway through her speech, repeats the main idea. This is an effective strategy that reminds the audience of the purpose of her speech. |
| So dear sisters and brothers, now it’s time to speak up. | Malala is changing the level of formality here. This is a very deliberate and effective strategy. Her speech started out very formal. Adding “dear sisters and brothers…” gives a very intimate feeling to her speech---like the audience is her family. |
| We call upon all governments to ensure free, compulsory education all over the world for every child. We call upon all the governments to fight against terrorism and violence. | This is an example of repetition, another effective rhetorical strategy. Malala repeated the phrase “we call upon all governments…” to emphasize the expectations that all people have for their government. |
Carefully analyze the effectiveness of other portions of Malala's speech by answering the multiple-choice questions below.
1. How does the following statement help make Malala's speech effective?
Those who have fought for their rights. Their right to live in peace. Their right to be treated with dignity. Their right to equality of opportunity. Their right to be educated.
- She used personification to draw attention to a key point in her speech.
- She used a rhetorical question that supports the main idea of her speech.
- She used an exaggeration to create an emotional effect that people can relate to.
- She used repetition to emphasize the rights that people have fought for.
Malala incorporated repetition using the words “their right” five times. This strategy is effective because it draws attention to a point she is trying to make---people have rights and fight for their rights, and education is a right.
Malala incorporated repetition using the words “their right” five times. This strategy is effective because it draws attention to a point she is trying to make---people have rights and fight for their rights, and education is a right.
Malala incorporated repetition using the words “their right” five times. This strategy is effective because it draws attention to a point she is trying to make---people have rights and fight for their rights, and education is a right.
Malala incorporated repetition using the words “their right” five times. This strategy is effective because it draws attention to a point she is trying to make---people have rights and fight for their rights, and education is a right.
2. Why is the following statement effective and strategic?
In India, innocent and poor children are victims of child labor. Many schools have been destroyed in Nigeria. People in Afghanistan have been affected by extremism.
- It explains that Malala's concerns are seen all around the world.
- It proves that countries such as India, Nigeria, and Afghanistan need to create a solution.
- It shows that children in only a few countries have educational challenges.
- It reminds the audience that the Taliban are to blame for all the educational issues.
This statement reminds the audience that we all have to work together because these issues are global.
This statement reminds the audience that we all have to work together because these issues are global.
This statement reminds the audience that we all have to work together because these issues are global.
This statement reminds the audience that we all have to work together because these issues are global.
3. How does the following statement effectively support the main idea of Malala's speech?
We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.
- Some people cannot succeed when they have been held back for half their lives.
- People cannot succeed when half of their thoughts are negative.
- Children cannot succeed when they are forced to go to school.
- Humanity cannot succeed when women are not allowed access to education.
About half of the human population is women. Malala is explaining that humanity cannot succeed when half of the population is being held back. Women in many countries are unable to go to school, vote, or buy property, and this is a problem for all of mankind.
About half of the human population is women. Malala is explaining that humanity cannot succeed when half of the population is being held back. Women in many countries are unable to go to school, vote, or buy property, and this is a problem for all of mankind.
About half of the human population is women. Malala is explaining that humanity cannot succeed when half of the population is being held back. Women in many countries are unable to go to school, vote, or buy property, and this is a problem for all of mankind.
About half of the human population is women. Malala is explaining that humanity cannot succeed when half of the population is being held back. Women in many countries are unable to go to school, vote, or buy property, and this is a problem for all of mankind.
4. Why are the following sentences an effective way for Malala to end her speech?
Education is the only solution. Education first.
- These statements summarize the main idea of her speech.
- These statements incorporate hyperbole.
- These statements are humorous and make the audience laugh.
- These statements remind everyone of what happened to Malala.
These sentences not only repeat the main idea of her speech, but they also repeat the word "education."
These sentences not only repeat the main idea of her speech, but they also repeat the word "education."
These sentences not only repeat the main idea of her speech, but they also repeat the word "education."
These sentences not only repeat the main idea of her speech, but they also repeat the word "education."
Summary
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