Critical Analysis of Emma Watson's HeForShe Speech in ESOL100

This assignment provides an analysis of Emma Watson's HeForShe speech, focusing on her use of narrative, persuasive techniques, and the effects she employs to convey her message. The analysis examines Watson's use of storytelling in paragraph 3, evaluating its validity and reliability in supporting her thesis. It further explores her persuasive techniques in paragraph 6, such as the use of rhetorical questions, evidence, and repetition, assessing their effectiveness in supporting her arguments. Additionally, the assignment critiques Watson's use of effects in paragraph 8, particularly the inclusion of statistical data, to determine their validity and impact on the audience. The analysis concludes by evaluating the overall effectiveness of Watson's strategies in promoting her gender equality message, referencing the provided guidelines for critical analysis of the speech's rhetorical devices and their impact.

1. Analysis of Watson’s use of a narrative
Watson has used her own life story to relate with in order to make it a clear hence causing her thesis
into a deeper understanding to the audience. The narrative is valid because it relate with the gender
based assumptions and whatever she had herself undergone. The use of this narrative is a reliable
strategy as it weaves the emotions of her listeners into the narrative. The narrative has a vivid imagery
and sensory details.
2. Analysis of Watson’s persuasive technique
Watson uses different persuasive techniques in her narrative in paragraph 6. These techniques
include:
 Use of rhetorical questions- Watson asks “Why has the word become such an
uncomfortable one?” She puts across this obvious question to lead her listeners to the
conclusion that this should not be the case, the world should not be uncomfortable due to
gender inequalities.
 Use of evidence- Watson quotes the salary she receives being equal to her male
counterparts to support her argument.
 Use of repetition and logic-Watson repeats the words “I think” so as to clearly drive her
arguments home as a persuasion technique. She also puts across her arguments logically
as a way of persuasion.
These reasons provided by Watson are valid and reliable to support her gender quality thesis.
This is because she clearly demonstrates she is not inferior in life by the virtue of being a female

3. Analyses of Watson’s use of effects
Watson uses effect in paragraph 8, she uses the effects to create mood or emotions in the audience by
giving specific statistical data of the percentages attendance of Hillary Clinton speech
attendance in Beijing. Through this arousal of emotions she conveys an idea. Provision of such
results is to put weight/importance on the issue at hand.in my view the effects are valid as they
depicts the real picture on gender violence and because she support her case statistically.

Reference
Watson, E. (2014). Gender equality is your issue too. Speech by UN Women
Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson at a Special Event for the HeForShe
Campaign, United Nations Headquarters, New York, 20.