Rhetorical Analysis Of Hillary Clinton's Speech

In what is considered one of the best speeches ever given, Hillary Clinton makes a case for women’s rights. This event was hosted to “bring new dignity and respect to women and girls all over the world” (americanrhetoric.com). Clinton is effective not only presenting here argument to a diversity of audiences, but in capturing the emotions of the audience while also building her credibility.
Clinton’s speech is heightened by being presented in a manner in which can reach and relate to a diversity of audiences. She is very careful to ensure that women contribute “in every aspect of life… as mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, learners, workers, citizens, and leaders” (americanrhetoric.com). If Hillary fixated her speech toward women being leaders, she would not have even related to most women. Women do want rights, but that does not necessarily conclude that they want to be anything more than a housewife. Hillary uses climax in her list from mothers to leaders in order to emphasize the diverse, yet equal, opportunities of women and thereby reaches a larger audience.

About halfway through her speech, she uses a rather long, but effective, list of the violations of human rights manifested in abuse toward women. Her list includes rather disturbing abuses; ranging from sexual violations to violent deaths, her speech undoubtingly moves the audience. Hillary also uses anaphora when starting each point with “it is a violation of human rights” (americanrhetoric.com). This is to emphasize that the abusing done to women is specifically wrong because it is a violation of human