Leaders of the world have often used speeches to win over people to their ideas. A well written and well delivered speech, held at the right time, in the right place can be a very effective way to make things happen.

Robin Hood's speech to his merry men is made up of phrases from famous speeches held by other leaders of men. Read the speech and see how many you can recognise. Send us your answer. Email: kessel@dany.pp.se

Robin Hood's Speech

"Men I have a dream! Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains.
They call us criminals; but what is the robbing of a bank compared to
the founding of one? Political power comes from the shaft of an arrow,
and let us not forget, when the mood of the music changes the walls
of the city of Nottingham will shake! From each according to his ability,
to each according to his needs! So let us shout: all for one and one for all,
for never have so many owed so much to so few. Men, I  beg your pardon,
 I never promised you a rose garden, but I do promise you liberty, equality
and fraternity. Men, let us take from the rich, and give to the poor!"

 
The art of speaking is called rhetoric. On this site you can see what it's all about.

http://humanities.byu.edu/rhetoric/silva.htm

 

 Andrew R. Cline, in his study of English rhetoric and political science,  takes a look at how President Bush used rhetoric in his election speeches. See for yourself.

http://a.students.umkc.edu/arc5a4/c2000/
2001

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