Rhetorical devices

Direct address and repetition

Direct address is one of the most frequently used devices in Abby Wambach's speech “Make Failure Your Fuel”. The speaker maintains contact with her audience throughout by talking to them directly. One example is: “…the most important thing for me to say to you, is this: Barnard women, class of 2018, we are the wolves.” (ll. 117-119). In this case, and many others, Wambach uses direct address to empower her audience and make them believe in themselves.

Wambach continues to address the audience by calling them “Wolf Pack” (l. 187, l. 229, l. 268, l. 314). This repetition grabs their attention, and also makes the Wambach’s central ideas more memorable, while constantly highlighting the idea of unity.

Another example that stands out is the call to action she makes towards the end of the speech (ll. 314-324). The calls to action are also combined with repetition in the form of anaphora as they all begin with the imperative ‘give’. The repetition suggests the speaker’s convict...