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Analyzing and Interpreting Literature / Unit 13   AIL 1240 short lesson, about 20 seconds

Reading a Speech for Its Argument

Captions available

The idea

Hamlet's speech is structured as a case: an opportunity, a proposal to act, an objection, and a decision. Treating a dramatic speech as an argument with steps, as unit nine treated a sonnet, is the most reliable way into it.

In practice

Opportunity, proposal, objection, decision.

Where people slip

Read a speech as an argument.

Your place on the trail

Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.

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