Rhetorical Appeals in Movie Speeches - Ethos, Pathos, Logos Analysis Activities

Let's face it, sometimes our rhetoric units aren't the most engaging ones of the year. Students often get bored quickly with historical speeches and other dry informative texts. While it is important to teach these valuable rhetorical documents, students will definitely appreciate some relevant and exciting analysis materials too. These movie speech worksheets present the perfect opportunity you need to get your students actively engaged with speech analysis. By interacting with iconic films, old and new, students will be able to successfully annotate and analyze rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, and logos) in a way that is academic, real world applicable, and fun all at the same time.

Looking for a more versatile, online learning option? Check out the digital and print version!

Materials included:

Iconic Speeches from 7 Popular Movies, Including:

1. Coach Boone’s Speech from Remember the Titans

2. Coach Lengyel’s Speech from We Are Marshall (some minor language, edited on worksheet)

3. The U.S President’s Speech from Armageddon

4. William Wallace’s Speech from Braveheart

5. Dumbledore’s Speech from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

6. President Snow’s Speech from Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

7. Diana’s Last Monologue from Wonder Woman

Each speech contains 2 worksheets, which include:

• A brief summary of the movie
• An image from the speech scene in the movie
• A Link to watch the movie clip (please copy and paste the links)
• A reprinted copy of the speech (full-text)
• An annotation guide for ethos, pathos, and logos
• A SOAPSTONE rhetorical analysis chart
• Analyzing Rhetorical Appeals Questions (specific for each speech)

***Detailed Answer Keys provided for EACH speech!!***

There are many ways to include this resource in your rhetoric unit! I hope you and your students enjoy!

HERE'S WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This was a really fun activity and helps my students understand how ethos, pathos, and logos can be used in a variety of ways. - Jaime M.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I use this resource with my AP Lang students to introduce the rhetorical situation and how the rhetorical appeals impact speeches. The students enjoy reading (and listening) the different speeches covered. It really helps to make the beginning pieces of analysis more understandable for students. - Jody W.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I have used this source several times now and always in a different way. My students loved it! It allowed them to watch movie clips without having a movie day. I used these sources to teach rhetoric. The students didn't even realize they were learning because they enjoyed it so much. - Stephanie J.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I enjoyed showing the clips to the kids and discussing the rhetorical appeals with them. I used one clip each day for a full week in support of our rhetorical analysis of Patrick Henry's speech "Give Me Liberty or Give me Death!" Appreciated having a female presentation very much! - Caroline D.

Check out my Early America Rhetorical Analysis Bundle for more high quality and rigorous materials!

Keywords: persuasive language techniques, movie clips, video clips, film viewing guide, rhetorical arguments, speaker, audience, occasion, subject, purpose, tone, informational text, pop culture, multimedia, argument, persuasive language, analyzing the rhetorical situation, SPACE CAT, exigence, message, rhetorical choices, speech analysis