Build Insight

1. What aspect or section of Churchill’s speech did you find most inspiring? Explain.
- Towards the end of his speech, he uses anaphora to emphasis his fighting
spirit;”We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the
seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing
strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we
shall fight on the beaches.”
2. (a) What major threat was Britain facing when Churchill delivered this speech?
They were fighting against the Germans in World War II.
(b) According to Churchill, which two Allied countries had recently suffered large
military losses? France and Belgium (c) If Britain’s defenses were to fail, who did
Churchill anticipate would carry on the fight? The empire beyond the sea
guarded by British forces

3. Strategy: Notetaking In what ways did note taking while listening help you
better understand the speech? Explain. There are certain things that aren’t
translated through text that are heard in speech such as the tone of his voice and
well placed pauses.
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4. Interpret Why did Churchill need to make this speech to Parliament?
- To instil faith in them that the British army will prevail against the odds.
5. (a) In paragraph 1, what heroic figures of the past does Churchill reference?He
references the knights of the round table (b) Interpret What does Churchill mean
when he says, “All fall back into the past—not only distant but prosaic?”He
means that while they are in the past their stories as well as the themes are well
known

6. Analyze This speech has become known for honoring the British people and
military at their “finest hour.” What qualities does Churchill discuss that describe
the people and military at their “finest”? Churhill places emphasis on loyalty,
strength, and courage that exists in Britain’s soldier by exclaiming he has ,”full
confidence,” in these men to do the job.
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7. Speculate Do you think Churchill’s speech would have been equally effective as
a written text, or is his delivery critical to its power? Explain your thinking.
- While his diction is effective text wise there is a quality that is lost from the
speech: the heart and zeal
Analyze and Interpret
Etymology The term etymology refers to a word’s origins—the language it came from
and how its form and meaning have changed over time. Understanding the etymologies
of words can help you remember their meanings. For example, the vocabulary word
colossal (and the related noun colossus) comes from the Greek word kolossos,
meaning “gigantic statue.” The most famous such statue was the Colossus of Rhodes—
one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, standing more than 100 feet tall.

Practice Complete the items.

1. Cite an example of a modern-day colossus. Explain your response.

I don’t know of any modern day statues with latin roots but there is a statue I
know called peplos kore. Kore is one of the first words for a maiden created by
the greeks.

2. Use reference materials to research the etymologies of these synonyms for

colossal: cyclopean, leviathan, gargantuan. Briefly describe your findings.

Cyclopean(kyklopes:greek), Leviathan(livyatan:hebrew)
Gargantuan(gargantua:french)

Rhetorical Appeals An argument, such as this persuasive speech, is designed to

convince an audience to accept the writer’s or speaker’s position or to take a specific
action. Elements of persuasion—such as rhetorical appeals—are key characteristics of
arguments. Here are four types of rhetorical appeals that a writer may use, whether
alone or in combination, to persuade an audience.

1. Analyze Reread the first sentence of paragraph 1. Of which type of rhetorical appeal
is this sentence primarily an example? Explain. The first apparent rhetorical appeal uses
kairos because he is making a call to action towards the British youth. “There never has
been, I suppose, in all the world, in all the history of war, such an opportunity for
youth.
2. Analyze In paragraph 1, which type of rhetorical appeal is Churchill using when he
twice praises the heroism of the young men who fight to defend “their native land”?
Explain. In these lines he is using pathos to inspire patriotism with the words the “native
land.”

3. Complete the chart. (a) Classify Identify the type(s) of rhetorical appeal used in each
passage. Explain your responses. (b) Evaluate Evaluate the effect each appeal most
likely had on the audience.

Evidence Type of Appeal/ Effect of the appeal

we must expect another blow to be struck
almost immediately at us or at France.
We are told that Herr Hitler has a plan for
invading the British Isles. (paragraph 2)
Logos: Rationally speaking the germans
are going to attack them next and
Churchill is aware so this statement
inspires serious feelings concerning
reality.

. . . we shall prove ourselves once again
able to defend our island home, to ride
out the storm of war, and to outlive the
menace of tyranny—if necessary, for
years; if necessary, alone. (paragraph 3)
Ethos: In these lines he appeals to the
warriors expertise by usings phrases that
emphasize a predetermined victory such
as “outlive the menace of tyranny.

. until, in God’s good time, the New Kairos: he is essentially saying that as the
World, with all its power and might, steps war progresses, the world will free itself
forth to the rescue and the liberation of from german tyranny and return to its
the Old. (paragraph 7) former glorious state.

Study Language and Craft

Rhetorical Devices Writers and speakers use a variety of rhetorical devices, or
special patterns of words and ideas, to communicate ideas clearly and powerfully. The
following chart describes some of the rhetorical devices that can be used to convey
meaning, to create emphasis, and to stir an audience’s emotions.
Practice Work on your own to answer the questions. Then, share your responses with
the group.

1. 1. Reread paragraph 1 of the speech. (a) Identify To what two historical or

legendary groups of people does Churchill allude? He alludes to the knights of
the roundtable and the crusaders (b) Connect Churchill quotes from Tennyson’s
“Morte d’Arthur,” about the story of King Arthur. Explain the connection between
this allusion and the allusion you identified in part (a).He is comparing the
bravery and strength of Britain youthful soldiers as well as expressing gratitude.
(c) Evaluate What effect would these related allusions have had on Churchill’s
audience? They would have evoked confidence because comparing them to
legendary groups is a great compliment.

2. (a) Distinguish In paragraph 7, of which type of rhetorical device is this sentence a

prominent example: “We shall go on to the end; . . . we shall fight on the beaches; we
shall never surrender”? Explain. The exclusion conjunctions suggested that this is an
example of asyndeton(b) Evaluate What effect does Churchill’s use of this rhetorical
device create? The idea that the fighting spirit is relentless and the country is to die for
becomes increasingly memorable with each phrase.

3. (a) Distinguish Which type of rhetorical device is most evident in Churchill’s

concluding words, which reference “the New World” and “the Old”? Explain. (b)
Evaluate What is the effect of Churchill’s use of this rhetorical device? I would say a
combination of synecdoche and asyndeton due to the lack of conjunctions and the idea
that individual powers(parts) will rise up and work as a whole to restore order.
World Network / EQ Notes
Vocabulary As you read the selections in this unit, identify interesting words related to
growing up, and add them to your . For example, you might begin by adding basic
words from the Mentor Text, such as courage and rescued.

Practice Fill in this chart as you explore the selections and complete the activities in this
unit.

Heroism
-courage
-rescue
-leader
-fate
-strong
-impulsive