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Rhetorical Analysis Of Malala Yousafzai's Speech

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Malala Yousafzai speaks out after she was shot by the Taliban on the left side of her head for attending school. She then decided to recount the event and write a speech which she presented to the United Nations. Her speech was intended to bring awareness to people that education should be available to males and females.

Repetition specifically anaphora, was the rhetorical strategy most prominently used in the speech. Yousafzai repeats “we” as shown in her speech, “We call upon all governments to ensure free compulsory education for every child all over the world… We call upon all communities to be tolerant – to reject prejudice based on cast, creed, sect, religion or gender. To ensure freedom and equality for women so that they can flourish. We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back. We call upon our sisters around the world to be brave – to embrace the strength within themselves and realise their full potential”.

Yousafzai repeats the word “we” in the beginning of each sentence, which proves anaphora, a type of repetition, is used especially to emphasize unity.

The above quote expresses a form of unity amongst the audience because it states “we”. It evokes a feeling of pride in being part of a group in support of education. Everyone must be aware of what is going on and how we must rely on each others different abilities while using our own to stand up for what is right, providing a safe education for women. By coming together we can create equality, nobody should be discriminated.

Yousafzai may have chosen this particular strategy as opposed to another because it get the point across that everyone must come together from leaders, the communities, and the women. People especially women must stand up for what they believe in and know that they have the strength and ability to do so. Together we must fight for equality.

While not as prominent as repetition, Yousafzai’s use of pathos impacts the speech as well. “There are hundreds of Human rights activists and social workers who are not only speaking for human rights, but who are struggling to achieve their goals of education, peace and equality. Thousands of people have been killed by the terrorists and millions have been injured. I am just one

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