“Rhetorical Analysis and Critical Thinking Questions for Greta Thunberg’s “How Dare You” speech to the United Nations Questions for Rhetorical Analysis and Critical Thinking
1. Identify the SOAPSTONE aspects of this speech.
Speaker:
Occasion:
Audience:
Purpose:
Subject:
Tone:

2. How does Greta Thunberg use ethos (appeal to authority) in her speech? Give ONE example with text evidence.

3. How does Greta Thunberg use pathos in her speech? Give THREE examples with text evidence.

4. How does Greta Thunberg use logos (facts) in her speech? Give THREE examples with text evidence.

5. Anaphora is the rhetorical device of beginning several sentences with the same or similar wordings in order to gain momentum (“pump up the crowd”) or drive the speaker’s point home. Give examples of when Greta Thunberg uses anaphora.

6. Write in your own words: what was the ultimate goal of Greta Thunberg’s speech? What was her message, and what ¨call of action” did she send her audience?

7. List three of Greta’s arguments for taking action against climate change:
a.
b.
c.

8. List three counter arguments that someone could make against her points:
a.
b.
c.

9. Write a personal reflection (at least five sentences) to her speech. Do you agree or disagree with her points? Explain your reasoning by making specific points.

Read the sample student paragraph that addresses a counterclaim. some claim that the internet both invades and compromises one’s right to privacy. however, this is ridiculous. the internet is only as invasive as one allows it to be, particularly since there are laws to protect people’s privacy. exercising caution when supplying personal information online is the most vital step in protecting one’s privacy. any information you do not feel comfortable sharing online should not be shared, and sensitive information should only be provided to trusted organizations. additionally, some states have already enacted privacy laws that model the federal privacy act of 1974, ensuring that information collected for one purpose may not be used—or sold—for other purposes without first notifying the individual to whom the data belongs. the first and most important protector of an individual’s information is that individual. people whose personal information is not properly protected only have themselves to blame. what evidence weakens the counterclaim in this paragraph? the internet is only as invasive as one allows it to be. exercising caution is the best way to protect one’s privacy online. some states have already enacted online privacy laws. it is the individual’s fault when personal information is unprotected.