224

Writers of the Revolution

notable quote “If this be treason, makethe most of it.”

fyiDid you know that Patrick Henry . . .• had 16 children—6 by his

first wife, who died, and then 10 by his second wife?

• owned slaves?• advocated the right

to bear arms later guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution?

• strongly supported states’ rights?

For more on Patrick Henry, visit the Literature Center at ClassZone.com.

Known as “the Orator of Liberty,” PatrickHenry made a name for himself with hisspeeches supporting American democracy.He was one of the earliest opponents ofBritish rule in the American colonies. In1765, after the British Parliament passeda tax bill called the Stamp Act, Henrywas among the members of the Virginialegislature that challenged the legality ofa British tax on the colonies. But he wentfarther than his colleagues by making athreat against the king. In his argument, sothe story goes, he used a loaded analogy:“Caesar had his Brutus, Charles the Firsthis Cromwell, and George III . . .”—at thispoint, shouts of “Treason!” erupted in thehall, but Henry continued—“may profitby their example.” He ended his speechwith the defiant words, “If this be treason,make the most of it.” Henry did indeedmake the most of his “treason,” becominga tireless and influential leader both beforeand after the Revolution.

Profitable Law Career Henry was born inVirginia to a prosperous landowner. Hisfather, who had attended the Universityof Aberdeen in Scotland, gave him aclassical education at home. His mother,Sarah Winston Syme, was from a wealthyfamily. Henry went out on his own at age15. Although smart and industrious, hecouldn’t find success as a storekeeper orlater as a tobacco planter. After marryingand starting a family, he decided to teachhimself law, and in 1760, at the age of24, he was admitted to the bar. Henry’seloquence, quick wit, and rhetorical giftsserved him well, and his law practice grewincreasingly profitable.

Popular Virginia Politician Henry is bestknown for his fervent “Speech in theVirginia Convention,” which narrowlyconvinced the assembled leadership toprepare for war with Britain. In addition,he organized a Virginia militia that becamepart of the new Continental Army afterindependence was declared. He helpedwrite the new state constitution and theVirginia Declaration of Rights, which wasa major influence on the Bill of Rightsadded to the U.S. Constitution. Healso served several terms as governor ofVirginia and as a state legislator. AlthoughPresident Washington offered himpositions as secretary of state and SupremeCourt justice, Henry declined andalways remained suspicious of the federalgovernment. In 1799, after being electedagain to the state legislature, he died at his700-acre plantation, Red Hill, before hecould take office.

Virginia House ofBurgesses

Speech in the Virginia Conventionby Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry1736–1799

SUNSHINE STATE STANDARDSLiterary Analysis & Information and Media LiteracyBenchmark LA.1112.2.2.2 Use information from the text to answer questions or to state the main idea or provide relevant details.Benchmark LA.1112.6.3.1 Distinguish between propaganda and ethical reasoning strategies in print and nonprint media.

FL_L11PE-u01s41-brVirCon.indd 224 1/28/08 4:46:36 PM

speech in the virginia convention 225

Example of Decisive Action:

Reasons That the Time Was Right:

Explore the Key Idea

When is it time totake action?

KEY IDEA Whether it’s the winning shot in the final seconds of the game, the right moment to ask someone out, or the decision to accept a job offer—timing is everything. In the spring of 1775, Patrick Henry had had enough of compromise with the British; it was time for armed resistance. His address to the Virginia Convention turned out to be a decisive moment not only in his own life but in the life of the United States as well.

DISCUSS With a partner, think of examples from sports, politics, or everyday life when the time was right for decisive action. Then, for one example, analyze why it was the right action at the right time.

literary analysis: rhetorical devicesRhetorical devices are structures within language that help communicate ideas.

• A rhetorical question is a question to which no answer is expected. (But when shall we be stronger?)

• Antithesis expresses contrasting ideas in parallel grammatical structures. (Give me liberty, or give me death!)

• Repetition is the recurrence of words, phrases, or lines. (Let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come!)

• Parallelism is a kind of repetition in which words or phrases in the same grammatical form connect ideas. (Is life so dear, or peace so sweet . . .)

As you read Henry’s speech, be on the lookout for rhetorical devices and how they might have affected his audience.

reading strategy: reading a persuasive speechWhen reading a persuasive speech, imagine the techniques the speaker used to bring the speech to life, such as word emphasis, changes in pace, pauses, and changes in volume. As you read, use a chart like the one shown to record how you would emphasize certain passages if you were Patrick Henry.

Paragraph/Line Numbers Technique

Paragraph 1 (lines 1–14)

vocabulary in contextUse context clues to write a definition of each boldfaced word.

1. Martial Speech Sets Stage for War 2. Subjugation by Britain Called Unacceptable 3. British Claims Said Not to Comport with Facts 4. Colonists to Remonstrate with Governor Against Taxes 5. Never Supinely Accept Tyranny, Henry Says 6. Invincible Patriot Army Will Repel Attacks 7. Insidious Spies Reveal Patriots’ Plans 8. Nothing Can Extenuate Tory Traitors 9. Citizens Told to Be Vigilant 10. America Must Remain Inviolate

FL_L11PE-u01s41-brVirCon.indd 225 1/28/08 4:46:41 PM

Focus and Motivate

Selection Resources

* Resources for Differentiation † Also in Spanish ‡ In Haitian Creole and Vietnamese

objectivesLiterary Analysis• explore the key idea of a decisive moment• analyze rhetorical devices• read a speechReading• understand techniques for reading a speechVocabulary• build vocabulary for reading and writing• understand word origins from mythology

(also an EL language objective)Grammar and Writing• use a variety of sentence types • write a persuasive speech

SUNSHINE STATE STANDARDSLA.1112.1.6.10, LA.1112.2.2.2, LA.1112.3.3.1, LA.1112.6.3.1

about the authorTo clarify Henry’s “loaded analogy,” explain that Brutus and other Roman senators killed the dictator Julius Caesar for fear he had too much power, and Oliver Cromwell led the effort to execute King Charles I of Britain for treason. Ask what Henry meant by “George III may profit by their example.”

using the notable uoteHave students paraphrase this quote, in which Patrick Henry concludes his “loaded analogy” by daring his opponents to act on his “trea-son.” Possible answer: If you think my words are treasonous, then try to stop me.

RESOURCE MANAGER UNIT 1Plan and Teach pp. 335–342Literary AnalysisSummary pp. 343†*, 344‡*Rhetorical Devices pp. 345, 346†*Question Support p. 353*Reading Reading a Persuasive Speech

pp. 347, 348†*Reading Check p. 352

Vocabulary Study p. 349*Practice p. 350Strategy p. 351Grammar and WritingVary Sentence Types p. 354Assessment Selection Tests A, B/C pp. 355*, 357*

Test Generator CD

BEST PRACTICES TOOLKITDifferentiated Instruction

pp. 31–38* Scaffolding Instruction

pp. 43–46* Graphic Organizers/StrategiesDefinition Mapping • Suffixes and Base Words • Writing Template: Eyewitness Report • Opening Lines

TechnologyLiterature, Vocabulary,and Writing Centers at ClassZone.com

WriteSmart CDAudio Anthology CD*

224

Writers of the Revolution

notable quote “If this be treason, makethe most of it.”

fyiDid you know that Patrick Henry . . .• had 16 children—6 by his

first wife, who died, and then 10 by his second wife?

• owned slaves?• advocated the right

to bear arms later guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution?

• strongly supported states’ rights?

For more on Patrick Henry, visit the Literature Center at ClassZone.com.

Known as “the Orator of Liberty,” PatrickHenry made a name for himself with hisspeeches supporting American democracy.He was one of the earliest opponents ofBritish rule in the American colonies. In1765, after the British Parliament passeda tax bill called the Stamp Act, Henrywas among the members of the Virginialegislature that challenged the legality ofa British tax on the colonies. But he wentfarther than his colleagues by making athreat against the king. In his argument, sothe story goes, he used a loaded analogy:“Caesar had his Brutus, Charles the Firsthis Cromwell, and George III . . .”—at thispoint, shouts of “Treason!” erupted in thehall, but Henry continued—“may profitby their example.” He ended his speechwith the defiant words, “If this be treason,make the most of it.” Henry did indeedmake the most of his “treason,” becominga tireless and influential leader both beforeand after the Revolution.

Profitable Law Career Henry was born inVirginia to a prosperous landowner. Hisfather, who had attended the Universityof Aberdeen in Scotland, gave him aclassical education at home. His mother,Sarah Winston Syme, was from a wealthyfamily. Henry went out on his own at age15. Although smart and industrious, hecouldn’t find success as a storekeeper orlater as a tobacco planter. After marryingand starting a family, he decided to teachhimself law, and in 1760, at the age of24, he was admitted to the bar. Henry’seloquence, quick wit, and rhetorical giftsserved him well, and his law practice grewincreasingly profitable.

Popular Virginia Politician Henry is bestknown for his fervent “Speech in theVirginia Convention,” which narrowlyconvinced the assembled leadership toprepare for war with Britain. In addition,he organized a Virginia militia that becamepart of the new Continental Army afterindependence was declared. He helpedwrite the new state constitution and theVirginia Declaration of Rights, which wasa major influence on the Bill of Rightsadded to the U.S. Constitution. Healso served several terms as governor ofVirginia and as a state legislator. AlthoughPresident Washington offered himpositions as secretary of state and SupremeCourt justice, Henry declined andalways remained suspicious of the federalgovernment. In 1799, after being electedagain to the state legislature, he died at his700-acre plantation, Red Hill, before hecould take office.

Virginia House ofBurgesses

Speech in the Virginia Conventionby Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry1736–1799

SUNSHINE STATE STANDARDSLiterary Analysis & Information and Media LiteracyBenchmark LA.1112.2.2.2 Use information from the text to answer questions or to state the main idea or provide relevant details.Benchmark LA.1112.6.3.1 Distinguish between propaganda and ethical reasoning strategies in print and nonprint media.

FL_L11PE-u01s41-brVirCon.indd 224 1/28/08 4:46:36 PM

speech in the virginia convention 225

Example of Decisive Action:

Reasons That the Time Was Right:

Explore the Key Idea

When is it time totake action?

KEY IDEA Whether it’s the winning shot in the final seconds of the game, the right moment to ask someone out, or the decision to accept a job offer—timing is everything. In the spring of 1775, Patrick Henry had had enough of compromise with the British; it was time for armed resistance. His address to the Virginia Convention turned out to be a decisive moment not only in his own life but in the life of the United States as well.

DISCUSS With a partner, think of examples from sports, politics, or everyday life when the time was right for decisive action. Then, for one example, analyze why it was the right action at the right time.

literary analysis: rhetorical devicesRhetorical devices are structures within language that help communicate ideas.

• A rhetorical question is a question to which no answer is expected. (But when shall we be stronger?)

• Antithesis expresses contrasting ideas in parallel grammatical structures. (Give me liberty, or give me death!)

• Repetition is the recurrence of words, phrases, or lines. (Let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come!)

• Parallelism is a kind of repetition in which words or phrases in the same grammatical form connect ideas. (Is life so dear, or peace so sweet . . .)

As you read Henry’s speech, be on the lookout for rhetorical devices and how they might have affected his audience.

reading strategy: reading a persuasive speechWhen reading a persuasive speech, imagine the techniques the speaker used to bring the speech to life, such as word emphasis, changes in pace, pauses, and changes in volume. As you read, use a chart like the one shown to record how you would emphasize certain passages if you were Patrick Henry.

Paragraph/Line Numbers Technique

Paragraph 1 (lines 1–14)

vocabulary in contextUse context clues to write a definition of each boldfaced word.

1. Martial Speech Sets Stage for War 2. Subjugation by Britain Called Unacceptable 3. British Claims Said Not to Comport with Facts 4. Colonists to Remonstrate with Governor Against Taxes 5. Never Supinely Accept Tyranny, Henry Says 6. Invincible Patriot Army Will Repel Attacks 7. Insidious Spies Reveal Patriots’ Plans 8. Nothing Can Extenuate Tory Traitors 9. Citizens Told to Be Vigilant 10. America Must Remain Inviolate

FL_L11PE-u01s41-brVirCon.indd 225 1/28/08 4:46:41 PMV O C A B U L A R Y

Teach

When is it time to TAKE ACTION? Lead into the KEY IDEA by asking the ques-tion. After pairs complete the DISCUSS activity, invite volunteers to share their examples. Then ask students to generalize how someone might recognize a decisive moment when it occurs.

vocabulary in contextDIAGNOSE WORD KNOWLEDGE To deter-mine preteaching needs, have all students complete Vocabulary in Context. Possible answers: 1. warlike, 2. total control, 3. agree, 4. protest, 5. lying face up helplessly, 6. undefeatable, 7. treacherous, 8. excuse, 9. alert, 10. untouched

PRETEACH VOCABULARY Preteach vocabulary with this copy master. Read each item aloud.

RESOURCE MANAGER—Copy MasterVocabulary Study p. 349

MORE VOCABULARY SUPPORTFor additional activities and guidelines, see

BEST PRACTICES TOOLKITScaffolding Vocabulary Instruction

pp. 43–46

Vocabulary Center at ClassZone.com

rhetorical devicesRemind students that they learned about rhetorical devices in the Literary Analysis Workshop on Persuasive Rhetoric (page 222). Ask volunteers to explain how each quote from Henry’s speech uses the rhetor-ical device it exemplifies. Possible answer: Rhetorical question: Henry does not expect an answer to his question. Antithesis: The quote presents two opposite choices in parallel grammatical form. Repetition: “Let it come!” is repeated. Parallelism: The grammatical form is parallel: noun + “so” + adjective.CHECK UNDERSTANDING Have students write a sentence that uses one of the rhetorical devices discussed on this page.

L I T E R A R Y A N A L Y S I S

standards focus

reading a persuasive speech

Explain to students that in their charts, they should list speaking techniques, not rhetorical devices. In addition to the oral techniques mentioned in the instruction, suggest that students consider other performance techniques, such as gestures and facial expressions. Also encourage stu-dents to consider how a speaker might use these techniques to reinforce the speech’s written rhetorical devices.

RESOURCE MANAGER—Copy MasterReading a Persuasive Speech p. 347

(for student use while reading the selection)

R E A D I N G S T R A T E G Y

speech in the virginia convention 225