Speech and Open Letters: Genre Analysis

Topic: Speech Words: 567 Pages: 2

GENRES	Explain how the style of the writing influences the ideas	Pick ONE passage from each GENRE; copy the passage below and explain why it is effective. Use MLA citation style to document the passages.	Compose 2-3 sentences about your issue/topic in the style of each genre.	Compose a paragraph explaining the similarities and differences of the three genres/styles of writing.
Speech/ Open Address or Letters	A speech or an open address and letter refers to a form of communication where the goal is to deliver information to a wider audience. The ideas are influenced by an author’s or authors’ stance on the issue and explanation of underlying arguments.	“General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” (Robinson par. 1).	The core topic is that the given genre is meant for a large audience. Therefore, the ideas need to be structured and succinct.	The underlying similarity between these three genres is that they communicate a specific set of ideas from one side to another. It is usually done to affirm a certain stance. However, speeches and declarations are organized to impose an idea, whereas first person accounts can be neutral. In addition, speeches are more about inspiring or raising awareness, whereas declarations are announcements of decisions made by the announcers.
First Person Accounts	First person accounts include ideas directly experienced, witnessed, and learned by an individual, which is communicated further.	“I was told only that the President would be speaking at the Berlin Wall, that he was likely to draw an audience of about 10,000, and that, given the setting, he probably ought to talk about foreign policy” (Robinson par. 4).	The key issue of the genre is reliability. The narration can be biased due to a person’s perspective.
Declarations	Declarations involve ideas that are announced and explicitly stated in a formal manner.	“We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is and ought to be totally dissolved” (U.S. Congress par. 6).	The main topic is a message or calls for change. Information needs to be clear and lack any form of miscommunication or misunderstanding.

The most interesting and inspiring genre is speech and open letters because they are not only practical but can also be transformative. The key rules and characteristics of speeches or open letters are to communicate an idea from a specific stance, raise awareness, highlight the issues, provide arguments, and call for action. The main reason why the genre was selected is due to the fact that a speech has an artistic element, and a properly written or expressed speech can be inspiring. Many societal transformations were made due to powerful speeches delivered by inspiring leaders throughout history. Another example of a famous speech is Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream.

Works Cited

King, Martin L. Jr. “I Have a Dream.” American Rhetoric, Web.

Robinson, Peter. “Tear Down This Wall”: How Top Advisers Opposed Reagan’s Challenge to Gorbachev—But Lost. The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 2007. Web.

U.S. Congress. Declaration of Independence: A Transcription. The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1776. Web.