Identifying Persuasive Language: Wayne LaPierre’s NRA Speech

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The purpose of this exercise is to train you in identifying persuasive language techniques. To do this, you will need to watch the following speech by Wayne LaPierre, the executive vice president of the National Rifle Association (NRA) over in the United States:

Video URL: http://youtu.be/z87ehuPU22I

 

You can download a copy of the text of LaPierre’s speech here:

This speech is riddled with persuasive techniques. You task is to find an example of each of the following techniques and write them down in the spaces provided in this sheet:

You will need to use the Persuasive Technique slides, along with Part 2 of your Using Language to Persuade textbook, to help identify how exactly each of these techniques operates.

Bonus Questions!

  • Can you find an example of actual Logic or Reason in LaPierre’s speech?
  • Where does the quote ‘We will not go quietly into the night’ come from?
  • Name 3 famous landmarks that were blown up by aliens in this film.

 

When you are done, read through the following webpage, which offers some brief analysis of LaPierre’s oration:

 

As part of our study of media texts, we will also be looking at images and visual media, such as cartoons. These can be analysed in a similar manner to a written text, as they will often be trying to convey a certain message, but you will need to look for different things.You will have to pay close attention to the details of the image and be able to identify and explain the impact of the choices that the artist has made.

Have a close look at the following cartoon and answer the following questions:

From Vista Times Delta, Editorial 6 February 2014

  1. What is important about the name of the shopping mall?
  2. What is important about each of the the names of the shops?
  3. What is important about the placement of the shops in relation to each other?
  4. What does the term ‘juxtaposed’ mean?
  5. What is important about the display of the ‘So Sorry Shoppe’?
  6. What is implied by the ‘reusable bouquets’ poster?
  7. What is important about the display of ‘Caskets and Beyond’?
  8. How do we know that the two people are likely NRA members?
  9. What is important about the dialogue?
  10. What is the MESSAGE that the artist is trying to portray (i.e. their CONTENTION)?
  11. How would you describe the TONE of this image?