Famous Speeches - Who, Where & When
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
"I Have a Dream" Speech, Martin Luther King Jr., 28 August 1963
"We must act. We must change. We must care for our future."
Repetition (or Anaphora)
In a discursive essay, why is it important to use third-person or an impersonal tone (e.g., "It could be argued..." instead of "I think...")
To maintain objectivity. The goal is to examine a topic as an impartial investigator rather than an advocate for one specific side.
"True elegance doesn't shout; it whispers. Our timepieces are crafted for those who value quiet distinction over loud displays."
Personification (giving "elegance" human actions)
"Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country."
John F. Kennedy's inaugural address, delivered on January 20, 1961.
"Imagine a world where your child never sees a wild tiger. Is that the future we want for them?"
Rhetorical Question
Why are anecdotes so beneficial to a discursive essay
They offer a personal perspective and real-world instance of the issue in question making it accessible to the audience
"Recommended by 9 out of 10 dentists worldwide for superior enamel protection."
Ethos (appeal to credibility/authority).
"We shall fight on the seas and oceans... we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing-grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets... we shall never surrender".
Winston Churchill, "We shall fight on the beaches" speech to the House of Commons on June 4, 1940
"If we continue at this rate, global temperatures will rise by 2 degrees by 2050, leading to a 30% loss in coastal habitable land. The data is clear; we must pivot now."
Statistics/Logos
"Which of the following transitions is most appropriate for a discursive blog post regarding urban living?"
Answer: B (It introduces a balanced perspective using a neutral transition)
"Social media is a digital double-edged sword. While it connects us to the globe, it simultaneously isolates us from our immediate surroundings."
Juxtaposition (contrasting connecting vs. isolating)
“Above all, My Lord, we want equal political rights, because without them our disabilities will be permanent. I know this sounds revolutionary to the whites in this country, because the majority of voters will be Africans. This makes the white man fear democracy."
"I am Prepared to Die" Speech, Nelson Mandela, April 20, 1964.
"Join the thousands of satisfied customers who have already switched to SparkleClean. Don’t get left behind!"
Bandwagon or pathos
"Unlike a persuasive speech that ends with a 'call to action,' how should a discursive essay regarding Standardized Testing typically conclude?"
By synthesizing the various views discussed and offering a final, reasoned reflection—often acknowledging that the issue is complex and lacks a single 'right' answer.
"The ice is melting. The sea is rising. The clock is ticking."
Anaphora (repetition at the start of sentences) or Rule of Three
"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."
Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln, 19 November 1863
"Our formula isn't just a cream; it is the culmination of fifteen years of dermatological research, vetted by the world’s leading aesthetic surgeons to ensure your skin receives nothing less than clinical-grade care."
Ethos (through Appeal to Authority)
The government's new policy is a total disaster and will ruin the economy.' How would you rewrite this sentence to fit the discursive requirement of being 'moderate and investigative'?"
While the new policy aims to address inflation, some economists express concern regarding its long-term impact on the national deficit.'
"He didn't just play the game; he was the game. Every pass, every goal, every sweat-soaked minute belonged to the history books."
Hyperbole (exaggeration for effect) or Parallelism