A Rhetorical Discourse Analysis of Two Motivational Speeches Case Study: Brendon Burchard’s Speeches “How to Succeed” And “How to Stay Focused”.
Loading...
Date
2022
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Mouloud Mammeri University of Tizi –Ouzou
Abstract
The present study is a rhetorical analysis of Brendon Burchard’s motivational speeches “How to
Succeed” delivered in 2014 and “How to Stay Focused” delivered in 2015. The main interest of this
analysis is to identify the rhetorical situation together with the rhetorical devices used by the
successful personal development coach in both these speeches. Weseek to identify the rhetorical
situation in order to identify the general context and circumstances that have brought these two
speeches to existence. We also look forward to demonstrate the various rhetorical devicesthat have
helped this particular orator to make his speeches convincing.Therefore, in our area of study, two
major theories are used: Bitzer's(1968) Rhetorical Situation Theory (exigence, audience, and
constraints), and the four Aristotelian Rhetorical Appeals (1356a)(i.e., logos, ethos, pathos and kairos).
The current analytical research adopted a descriptive design which is based on mixed method
approach, including both qualitative and quantitative analysis. On the one hand, Discourse Analysisis
used to analyze, interpret and explain data and lexical semantic links; ithas helped to categorize the
two speeches into one major theme that is persuasion and to analyze the rhetorical device. On the other
hand, the Descriptive Statistical Method is primarily utilized for the tabulational representation of
particular occurrences. Furthermore, the integration of the two frameworks; the four Aristotelian
appeals (1356a)and Bitzer’s rhetorical situation (1968) in the speecheshas played a crucial role in
making them persuasive. Throughout the analysis, we have realized that Brendon Burchard used all
three rhetorical situation components. Additionally, we have found that the two speeches do not only
includethefour rhetorical devices –Ethos, Pathos Logos and Kairos- but they are also loaded with
figures of speech which made the speeches more appealing and compelling. We have also come to
know that he has relied more on Pathos and Ethos as tools to attract and persuade the audience than
the use of Logos and Kairos; however, he has not completely neglected the latter.
Description
80p. ; 30cm. (+CD-Rom)
Keywords
Aristotelian Appeals, motivational discourse, Rhetoric, rhetorical situation
Citation
Language and Communication