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"The Power of Words"

Richard Miles

When I was taking world history classes as part of my undergraduate studies in university, I was always struck by how many crucial historic events seemed to have been shaped by the words of specific individuals. Whether it be US President John F. Kennedy facing down the Soviets during the Bay of Pigs crisis, or British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill rallying the public in the dark days of 1940. What always intrigued me most was the way such leaders utilized language as a tool to convey their message and persuade the people listening to them. The ability to manipulate words is a skill that great speakers have frequently used throughout history.

It was later in my graduate studies that I learned about the field of rhetoric. Rhetoric has been defined as the art of using language to influence and persuade people (Toye, 2013), with studies and theories dating back more than 2000 years ago to Aristotle. Within the academic discipline of rhetoric, there are many techniques that speakers can use to more effectively express their message. Three examples of these techniques are:

• tripling - the use of three similar words together, three points in a speech, three words in a phrase, or a phrase three times - also known as 'the rule of three'

"I came, I saw, I conquered" - Julius Caesar

"Yes, we can" - Barrack Obama

"How dare you!" - Greta Thunberg

• contrasting - the use of opposites to generate attention to your point

"Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your

country" - John F. Kennedy

• inclusive language - the use of personal pronouns that specifically bring the audience and the speaker together

"We shall fight..." - Sir Winston Churchill

"With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to

struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together,

knowing that we will be free one day." - Martin Luther King Jr.

The use of techniques such as these is evident in our daily lives, not just in political speeches, and this is important for English language learners to know. Correct grammar is fine, but the way a speaker plays with the language can be equally important. The next time you see an advertising slogan in English, check how many words are being used (e.g., "Just do it" - Nike) or what other technique is being used to persuade you to buy the product. The next time you listen to an English song, see if you can identify patterns in the lyrics (e.g., "We, are never ever, ever getting back together" - Taylor Swift). And, the next time you hear someone making a speech, listen to the words they use to express themselves. By understanding how English is used, you can improve your own English skills and so much more.

Toye, R. (2013). Rhetoric: A very short introduction. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.