by Patrick Henry
They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.
Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death, Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775
"Shirley Chisolm Speech"
by Shirley Chisolm
Let me note and try to refute two of the commonest arguments that are offered against this amendment. One is that women are already protected under the law and do not need legislation. Existing laws are not adequate to secure equal rights for women. Sufficient proof of this is the concentration of women in lower paying, menial, unrewarding jobs and their incredible scarcity in the upper level jobs. If women are already equal, why is it such an event whenever one happens to be elected to Congress?
Equal Rights for Women, Shirley Chisholm, May 21, 1969
Question
Use the passages to answer the question.
What might be a sentence the second author could add to the end of the excerpt to use a rhetorical strategy similar to the first author’s?
(1 point)
Responses
A woman elected to Congress should carry no more attention than a man being elected.
A woman elected to Congress should carry no more attention than a man being elected.
This is not fair, and we must take action at once!
This is not fair, and we must take action at once!
I have spent decades studying this, and I know it to be true.
I have spent decades studying this, and I know it to be true.
Is this not true?
Is this not true?
1 answer
The best response that aligns with the rhetorical strategy similar to that of Patrick Henry’s speech would be:
"This is not fair, and we must take action at once!"
This sentence uses an urgent call to action and emphasizes the need for immediate change, similar to how Henry calls for resistance against oppression. It evokes a strong emotional response and suggests that inaction is unacceptable, resonating with the passionate tone present in Henry's speech.
