Build Insight

1. What aspect or section of Churchill’s speech did you find most inspiring? Explain.
- I do find the moment where he says “..the New World, with all its power
and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.” is
inspirational showing that he has hope for the country to win the war.

2. (a) What major threat was Britain facing when Churchill delivered this speech?
(b) According to Churchill, which two Allied countries had recently suffered large
military losses? (c) If Britain’s defenses were to fail, who did Churchill anticipate
would carry on the fight?
A. Britain was facing a threat against Germany and the Axis Powers when
the speech was made.
B. He refers to France and Belgium as the countries that had recently faced
large military losses.
C. Churchill says that the “Empire beyond the seas” will carry the fight if they
were to fail using their defenses.

3. Strategy: Notetaking In what ways did note taking while listening help you
better understand the speech? Explain.
- Taking notes on the speech helped summarize and gather more details
on the speech. It also aided in being able to break down the speech in an
easier manner.
4. Interpret Why did Churchill need to make this speech to Parliament?
- Churchill had spoken to the parliament to encourage them to fight so they
didn't surrender from the war.
5. (a) In paragraph 1, what heroic figures of the past does Churchill reference? (b)
Interpret What does Churchill mean when he says, “All fall back into the past—
not only distant but prosaic?”
A. In paragraph 1, Churchill references the Knights of the Round Table
and the Crusaders.
B. By saying “All fall back into the past--not only distant but prosaic,”
Churchill means that the heroic figures mentioned are a commonplace of history
and will be remembered for years to come.

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”?
- The qualities that Churchill discusses that describes the people and
military at their “finest” are that they are loyal to their land. He states how
they will fight to the very end no matter what the cost, no matter what type
 of land or sea they must fight in. To him, the British at their finest hour will
not surrender, as if they were to somehow fall, those in the New World
army will come to their backup.

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.
- I strongly disagree that the speech would have been as equally as
effective if spoken as to a written speech. Most speeches have more than
just words, it's more of the emphasis and the delivery the speaker has on
the public, in compared as if you were to read it, then you would start to
build up diction as to what the speaker is trying to imply or maybe you
would build up a wrong set of ideas. A speaker definitely solves all these
issues through the delivery of their speech.

8. Get Ready for Close Reading Choose a passage from Churchill’s speech -
that you find especially significant or inspiring. You’ll discuss the passage with
your group during Close-Read activities.

- The last paragraph starting line 10 I found very inspiring. The effect of
repetition shown in these lines is showing emphasis on many forms of
resistance to “we shall fight.” This captures the crowd and gives them a
burst of encouragement for this war.

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.

The Statue of Liberty is an example of a modern-day colossus because it is a

very famous, large statue in New York City.

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

colossal: cyclopean, leviathan, gargantuan. Briefly describe your findings.
Cyclopean - comes from the Greek word kyklopeios, meaning “vast or gigantic”
Leviathan - comes from the Hebrew word livyathan, meaning “dragon, serpent,
 huge sea animal”
Gargantuan - comes from the Spanish word garganta, meaning “gullet, throat”

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.

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.
Churchill is using pathos to appeal to the audience when he twice praises the heroism
of the young men.

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.

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.