Rhetorical devices

Direct address

In his first speech as Prime Minister, Boris Johnson uses direct address from the beginning, when he praises the former PM, Theresa May: “I pay tribute to the fortitude and patience of my predecessor” (l. 4), recognizing her efforts in gaining support for a Brexit deal. 

He frequently speaks directly to the British people: “And so I am standing before you today to tell you, the British people, that those critics are wrong.” (l. 8). Another example of this is: “My job is to make your streets safer (…) My job is to make sure you don’t have to wait 3 weeks to see your GP” (ll. 22-24). In this way, he aims to gain their support for a Brexit plan, especially since the UK government’s handling of Brexit was heavily criticized both at home and abroad at the time.

Johnson uses direct address to acknowledge the EU nationals living and working in the...