Kira Shim Practice Paper 1 [Shim] !

1
April 1st, 2017
Language and Literature HL
Mr. Aaron Vigor
Word Count: 1,326

The given text is an extract from Aung Sang Suu Kyis political speech Freedom from Fear, given in 1988 to the
Burmese public. The text can be inferred as political speech within the first paragraph Suu Kyi makes use of phrases
such as the quintessential revolution, and values which shape the course of a nations development suggesting
the purpose of the speech is to inspire the audience to retaliate against a particular party, in this case, Suu Kyi is
referring to the Burmese military. Additionally numerous classic political speech writing elements can be identified
throughout the text, both rhetorical and literary devices have been incorporated, claims and counterclaims, as well
as persuasive language and techniques inspiring the audience to rebel for freedom, democracy and human rights.
Suu Kyi attempts to both argue and persuade her audience of the necessity for a revolution, creating a call to action,
addressing what she believes to be the single most prominent cause for their hesitation, fear. She implicates national
and international heroes associating their positive image with her message, discussing their absence of fear in
relation to their courage and intrepidity. Suu Kyis effective use of tone, style and structure are the basis of which
combine to develop such an efficacious and liberalizing speech, all of which will be evaluated throughout the
following analytical critique.

Surprisingly, throughout the extract Suu Kyi makes little to no use of individual pronouns addressing her audience,
highly uncharacteristic of political speech writing. The only references present lie in collective terms such as
nation, a people, society and a man. However considering the text type, tone, content and contextual
information provided, it has been implied the audience were the citizens of Burma, it is assumed the audience was
diverse in age though mostly Burmese as the speech was likely to be delivered outdoors in a place of public
gathering to have achieved the greatest publicity. The nativity of the audience is reflected in the spirituous
patriotism which Suu Kyi employs throughout the entirety of the speech, The need for change in those mental
attitudes and values which shape the course of a nations development, signifies the essentialness of Burmas
growth as a country as we are aware the purpose of the speech is to inspire a rise against the Burmese Military. The
third paragraph of the extract mentions Aung San, Suu Kyis father and a Burmese nationalist hero, through the
sentence It is for such moral courage that he will always be loved and respected in Burma, therefore it may be
assumed that this speech was indeed presented to the Burmese public. Though speculation could be made as Suu
Kyi did not specifically outline here in Burma, the evidence in association with the given contextual information,
the likely hood in which the speech was presented in to the Burmese public, far outweighs the latter.

The tone which Suu Kyi imposes, balances between the forceful promotion and more subtle persuasion of
detachment from fear. She states A people who would build a nation in which strong, democratic institutions are
firmly established must first learn to liberate their own minds from fear. Suu Kyi implies Burmas corruption
and repression cannot be cured without the absence of fear which may be seen as threatening. However, this directly
relates to her content and theme as she demonstrates military like abruptness, and bravery through her openness to
address the issue. Suu Kyi later balances her harshness by adding a quote from Jawaharlal Nehru the first prime
minister of Independent India, describing Mahatma Gandhi. As an international hero, The essence of his teaching
was fearlessness and truth, here the promotion of courageousness towards the audience is viewed as less combative
due to the association with Gandhi, considered the great apostle of non-violence. She continues to apply this
quote to Aung San developing a connection between her audience and tone.
Kira Shim Practice Paper 1 [Shim] !2
April 1st, 2017
Language and Literature HL
Mr. Aaron Vigor
Word Count: 1,326

Suu Kyi makes use of a variety of literary techniques and rhetorical devices to develop an emotional connection
with the audience, increasing drama and poeticism drawing the audience in and increasing the desirability to listen
to the rest of the speech. Metaphors are intertwined throughout, in phrases such as A revolution of the spirit, iron
rule and freedom from fear. Each of these are used to not only develop imagery and create a more intriguing
speech but to provide a subtlety in her comparisons. The phrase freedom from fear may also be seen as
juxtaposition, in that her repetitive negative connotations towards the term such as: Resist the corrupting
influences of fear and fear is not the natural state of civilized man, render it as a fatalistic concept creating a
contrast against the term freedom. Similarly, Suu Kyi introduces zeugma when stating To resist the corrupting
influences of desire, and fear. The use of denotation simultaneously with her critical connotation draws the
attention of the audience and highlights the dissoluteness of desire to be level with the sinfulness of fear. She begins
the second paragraph with the sentence Saints, it has been said, are the sinners who go on trying. She also uses
alliteration while alluding to the concept of purity, in unison with juxtaposition through the use of the word
sinners. The alliteration draws the attention of the audience developing rhythm and building the mood. The choice
of words beginning with s create a slyness to her tone giving the impression of perilousness for those who quit
trying. She continues to balance the atmosphere through incorporating a divine reference before creating contrast
between the terms saints and sinners, stating those who do not join the revolution will remain miscreants to their
country.

Following this Suu Kyi uses anaphora in the third and sixth paragraphs with continuous repetition of the word to
before listing off each element, The kind that enables him to speak the truth, to stand by his word, to accept
criticism, to admit his faults, to correct his mistakes, and fear of in the sixth paragraph, Fear of imprisonment,
fear of torture, fear of death. The technique demands audience attention and creates an emphasis on her point, both
instances manipulate pathos, with opposing undertones. Regarding the first paragraph, it is used to canonize Aung
San to later be used as an example of heroism and fearlessness. In the sixth paragraph it is again used for emphasis,
however Suu Kyi develops a counterclaim momentarily demonstrating understanding of her audiences fears, later
refuting this again to strengthen her overall argument and persuasiveness for the necessity of freedom from fear. In
addition to anaphora, Suu Kyi draws on assonance to further emphasize her point while increasing the fluidity of the
paragraph and ultimately the pleasurability of listening which ensures her audience remains enticed, To correct his
mistakes, to respect the opposition.

The structure of the speech is direct, in that each paragraph has a specific purpose clearly outlined in her first
sentence. Suu Kyis statements are declarative all throughout and evidently bias against those who threaten the hope
of Freedom, democracy and human rights for Burma, a nation who are attempting to liberate themselves from
fear. Of course it must be taken into consideration this transcript is merely a translation of the original speech given
in Burmese. Therefore, that which is presented may be slightly dissimilar to the original with variance in sentence
structure and meaning. The difference in language also posses an effect on the audience, presenting in their native
tongue creates a relationship of trust and sets them at ease, increasing their receptiveness.

To conclude, Suu Kyis use of dramatic tone develops an undeniably inspiring atmosphere balancing between
forceful promotion and subtle persuasion of her ideas, though never ceasing to loose her confidence as
demonstrated with continuous declarative statements throughout. Her inclusion of multiple advanced literary
techniques and rhetorical devices along with persuasive language contribute to her overall effective use of style and
structure in addition to her tone, all combining to develop such an efficacious and liberalizing speech.