Malala Rhetorical Analysis

Malala Yousafzai, a young Pakistani activist for female education, delivered a powerful speech at the United Nations in 2013. Her speech, commonly known as the "Malala Rhetorical Analysis," is a prime example of effective rhetoric. In this essay, I will analyze the rhetorical strategies Malala employed in her speech to convey her message and persuade her audience.

One of the most prominent rhetorical strategies that Malala utilized in her speech is the use of ethos. Ethos refers to the credibility and trustworthiness of the speaker. Malala, as a young girl who survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban, automatically gains credibility and empathy from her audience. She begins her speech by humbly addressing the audience as "Esteemed delegates," establishing her respect for the esteemed individuals she is addressing. Furthermore, she mentions her personal experience of being shot in the head by the Taliban, which adds to her credibility as a speaker. By sharing her harrowing experience, Malala effectively appeals to the audience's emotions and establishes her ethos as a survivor and advocate for education and peace.

Another rhetorical strategy employed by Malala is the use of pathos. Pathos refers to the emotional appeal the speaker uses to evoke an emotional response from the audience. Throughout her speech, Malala shares heart-wrenching stories of girls who have been denied their right to education, highlighting the emotional toll of the Taliban's oppressive regime. For example, she mentions the story of Shazia and Kainat, two of her friends who were also injured in the attack. By personalizing the experiences of these girls, Malala effectively tugs at the heartstrings of her audience, eliciting empathy and compassion for the victims of the Taliban's brutality. Through her use of pathos, Malala effectively communicates the urgency and necessity of education for all children, especially girls, in regions affected by conflict and extremism.

In addition to ethos and pathos, Malala also employs logos, the appeal to logic and reason, in her speech. She uses statistics and facts to support her argument for the importance of education. Malala cites the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, emphasizing the right to education for all children. She also mentions the 57 million children who are out of school and the 66 million girls who are denied education, providing statistical evidence to underscore the magnitude of the issue. By appealing to logic and reason, Malala effectively persuades her audience of the critical need for education in promoting peace and prosperity in society.

Furthermore, Malala's use of repetition and parallelism enhances the rhetorical impact of her speech. She repeatedly emphasizes the importance of education, using parallel structure to drive her point home. For example, she states, "We must not forget that millions of people are suffering from poverty, injustice, and ignorance." This repetition and parallelism serve to reinforce her message and make it more memorable for her audience. By employing these rhetorical devices, Malala effectively captures the attention of her audience and emphasizes the urgency of her cause.

In conclusion, Malala Yousafzai's speech at the United Nations is a powerful example of effective rhetoric. Through her use of ethos, pathos, logos, and rhetorical devices such as repetition and parallelism, she effectively conveys her message and persuades her audience of the critical need for education, particularly for girls in regions affected by conflict and extremism. Her speech serves as a testament to the power of rhetoric in inspiring change and advocating for social justice. As a result, Malala's rhetorical analysis continues to resonate with audiences around the world, inspiring action and solidarity in support of education for all.