Assignment Overview: In this assignment, you will analyze a speech delivered by a Black member of the United States Congress (the one you previously selected to study earlier this semester). You will select a speech from a congress.gov archive or from a reputable video-sharing platform like YouTube. The objective of this assignment is to delve beyond mere summarization and instead conduct a thorough analysis of the speech. You will provide quotations from the speech, interpret the speaker’s intentions, and connect the content to themes discussed in class.
Objectives:
To develop analytical skills in interpreting political speeches.
To understand the rhetoric and persuasive techniques employed by politicians.
To make connections between real-world political discourse and theoretical concepts discussed in class.
To critically evaluate the effectiveness and impact of congressional speeches on public opinion and policy.
Assignment Details:
Speech Selection: Choose a speech delivered by a member of the U.S. Congress. The speech can be from any context, such as a congressional session, a campaign event, or a protest rally. Ensure that the speech is publicly available and provides ample material for analysis. The Speech should be at least 5 minutes long, to provide enough materials for analysis.
Points to Consider
Quotations: Provide direct quotations from the speech to support your analysis.
Rhetorical Devices: Identify and analyze rhetorical devices (e.g., metaphors, analogies, repetition) used in the speech.
Audience Analysis: Consider the intended audience of the speech and how the speaker tailors their message accordingly.
Policy or Ideological Stance: Determine the policy or ideological stance advocated by the speaker and examine how it is articulated.
Emotional Appeal: Evaluate any emotional appeals employed in the speech and their effectiveness in engaging the audience.
Connection to Class Themes: Draw connections between the content of the speech and themes, theories, or concepts discussed in class.
Final Report: Write a comprehensive analysis of the speech, incorporating the components listed above. Your report should be well-structured, coherent, and supported by evidence from the speech itself. Your essay should be two double spaced pages.
Submission Guidelines:
Submit your via canvas
Include a link to the video of the speech or attach a transcript.
Ensure proper citation of sources used, including the speech itself and any additional scholarly materials consulted.
I chose my representative as Rashida Tlaib so please find a speech on her and analyze it im Palestinian.
