Rhetorical devices
Rhetorical devices are language techniques through which speakers try to make their arguments and ideas more memorable and convincing. Donald Trump uses a large number of such devices in his immigration speec…
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Direct references
A direct reference is an explicit mention of a person, event, or media. For example, Trump makes numerous direct references to people such as “the President of Mexico” (l. 10), Barack Obama (l. 74), or “Hillary Clinton” (l. 107). The references to the Mexican President are favorable, presenting him as trustworthy and reliable, “a man who truly loves his country” (l. 11) with whom Trump intends to work. However, the references to Obama an…
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Analogy
Analogy means drawing comparisons and associations between people and situations. For example, Trump makes an analogy between the Mexican President and himself to express his patriotic love for the US and increase his ethos: “…the President of Mexico – a man I like and respect very much, and a man who truly loves his country. Just like I am a man who loves the United States.” (ll. 10-12)
Similarly, he makes an analogy between the money…
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Antithesis
Antithesis means creating opposition and contrasts to maintain the audience’s attention and highlight certain points.
On a general level, Trump’s speech is constructed on several antitheses. The first one is between legal and illegal immigrants, as Trump wants to convince the audience that there should be “Zero tolerance” (l. 152) for anyone who enters the US illegally: “We want people to come into our country, but they have to come in legally and properly-vetted…” (ll. 3…
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Imagery, metaphors, and hyperbole
Imagery refers to constructing mental images for the audience to make ideas and arguments more dynamic. Trump uses imagery extensively when he talks about the murders committed by illegal immigrants (ll. 56-75). The imagery suggests he wants to make the audience feel revolted: “Then there is the case of 90 year-old Earl Olander, who was brutally beaten and left to bleed to death in his home.” (ll. 72-73); “…Marilyn Pharis, was sexually assaulted and beaten to death with a hammer.” (ll. 76-77)
Occasionally, Trump relies on metaphorical language to convey his ide…
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Repetition
Repetitions typically emphasize ideas to make them more memorable or help organize the speech to sound more convincing. In the video version of the speech, you will notice that Trump uses repetition almost constantly, usually by stating the same idea or phrase a couple of times in a row.
In the transcript version, you will also observe several examples of repetition. For example, the phrases “Countless innocent American lives” (l. 50) and “Countless Americans who have died” (l. 56) add emphasis and drama to the murders of Americans committed by illegal immigrants.
In another case, the speaker repeats the same words to keep the audience focuse…
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Tricolon
A tricolon is a device by which the speaker mentions things in threes to make them easier to remember and add emphasis.
In one case, Trump lists the main people and organizations he claims to be covering up the real facts of immigration: “… the media won’t report on them, the politicians won’t talk about them, and the special interests spend a lot of money trying to cover them up.” (ll. 25-27). He repeats the same tricolon a few lines later to address these people directly: “To all the politicians, donors and special interests, hear these words from me today:” (ll. 103-104)
In another example, Trump makes claims about what politicians really want, to suggest that they are misleading the voters or not acting in their bes…
