Orators and authors often embed their works with certain devices that help further convince and convey to the readers their ideas and aspirations. Famous orators, including Patrick Henry, Jonathan Edwards, and Susan B. Anthony, employed many rhetorical devices in order to make their speeches more effective and memorable. The reputable speeches "Speech to the Virginia Convention" by Patrick Henry, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" by Jonathan Edwards, and "Is it a Crime for a Citizen of the United States to Vote?" by Susan B. Anthony can all be characterized as effective pieces of rhetoric, for they illustrate the ideal usage of as rhetorical appeals and tropes. .
Rhetorical appeals, a pivotal part of any effective speech, are employed differently throughout these renowned speeches. In his speech "Speech to the Virginia Convention," Patrick Henry gains the audience's support by appealing primarily to pathos and logos. Before beginning his speech and voicing his opinions, Henry appeals to ethos and establishes himself as a credible speaker when he asserts, "I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience" (History 1). By describing himself as experienced, Henry gains the trust of the delegates present at the convention and presents himself as someone of value and worth. Immediately after presenting himself as a credible source, Henry appeals to logos as he introduces a list of grievances against Britain and argues that these grievances are perfect reasons to retaliate violently against Britain; he reasons that, "These (grievances) are the implements of war and subjugation" (History 2). Afterwards, Henry appeals to logos once again and urges the audiences to reflect on Britain's current international decisions. Henry questions Britain's motives and forces the audience to think logically when he asks, "Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none" (History 2).