Rhetorical devices

Direct Address and Rhetorical Questions

David Cameron’s Speech on Radicalization, Islamic Extremism and the Failure of State Multiculturalism contains several instances of direct address: 

And if we are to defeat this threat, I believe it is time to turn the page on the failed policies of the past. So first, instead of ignoring this extremist ideology, we – as governments and as societies – have got to confront it, in all its forms. 

In this example, the plural “we” suggests that Cameron sees the terrorist threat as an issue that concerns all countries, not only the UK. This idea is reinforced later on when Cameron invites all countries to come together and fight Islamic extremism as one. 

When Cameron inserts several rhetorical questions, he highlights the idea that similar extremist ideologies would not be tolerated in democratic states:

Well, I say, would you take the same view if these were right-wing extremists recruiting on our campuses? Would you advocate inaction if Christian fundamentalists who believed that Muslims are the enemy were leading prayer groups in our prisons? Would you allow the far right groups a share of public funds if they promise to help you lure young white men away from fas...