Structure and tone

The speech “Freedom of Speech and Right to Offend” by Brendan O’Neill is relatively well-structured and is given more emphasis by the speaker’s tone.

Structure

Given the theme of the speech is already known – Freedom of Speech and Right to Offend was the name of a series of debates at The Oxford Union Society—it is not surprising that the author begins directly without announcing the topic.

Instead of presenting the topic, the speech begins with three historical examples, relevant to the issue of the right to offend. Only then the speaker introduces his argument, suggesting that banning or censoring the right to offend in universities is a negative measure:

So when today’s student leaders clamp down on offensive stuff, they are actually carrying on a very long tradition – a tradition whereby the crème de la crème of British society take it upon themselves to police the parameters of acceptable thought and to exclude offensiveness from the academy. (ll. 21-23)

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Tone

The speaker’s tone is also very important for the speech, so we recommend that you also watch the debate here[1].

Upon listening to the speaker it will be easier for you to notice that his tone is grave and serious overall, but is occasionally mixed with sarcasm and irony. Sarcasm is noticeable when the speaker uses seemingly positive phrases in order to depict those whom he is criticising, such as:

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