Rhetorical Techniques and Sadat
‘Statement to the Knesset’ Anwar el Sadat, 20 November 1977 1. Read the full transcript of the speech 2. Annotate speech – noting rhetorical techniques, structural features and values/ memorable ideas 3. Read Stanners notes and add to your understanding of context and rhetorical strategies used 4. Read and complete the following
Audience
* The Knesset is the Israeli Parliament * The speech was also broadcast live all over the world
Context
* Born in 1918 in Mit Abul Kom, a town within the British Colony, Anwar al-Sadat grew up with anti- colonial sympathies. He became one of the first Egyptian students in a military school founded by the British where he pursued Maths, Science and military history. His interest in the Battle of Gettysburg and his meeting with Gamal Abdel Nasser while posted in a minor army base in Egypt re-enforced his militant anti –corruption and anti-colonial stance. * Sadat’s association with Nassar continued through the latter’s life and Sadat succeeded Nassar in 1970. As a result of Sadat’s opposition to the corrupt regime he was jailed twice and after the second term of imprisonment left the armed services to become Nassar’s minister for Public Relations in charge of monitoring the abdication King Farouk and Egypt’s independence from British colonialisation * Although overshadowed by Nassar during the latter’s lifetime Sadat became a militant leader who threatened Israel between1970-73. He was responsible for the war on Israel which began on Yon Kippur in October 1973 and ended in a stalemate. The weak financial situation in Egypt at the time precipitated riots. * It was in this context that the ‘Statement to the Knesset’ took place. His visit to Israel was unprecedented for an Egyptian leader and the Sadat Initiative as it came to be called culminated in the Camp David talks which were led by American President Jimmy Carter. Sadat was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. * Sadat’s improved
Audience
* The Knesset is the Israeli Parliament * The speech was also broadcast live all over the world
Context
* Born in 1918 in Mit Abul Kom, a town within the British Colony, Anwar al-Sadat grew up with anti- colonial sympathies. He became one of the first Egyptian students in a military school founded by the British where he pursued Maths, Science and military history. His interest in the Battle of Gettysburg and his meeting with Gamal Abdel Nasser while posted in a minor army base in Egypt re-enforced his militant anti –corruption and anti-colonial stance. * Sadat’s association with Nassar continued through the latter’s life and Sadat succeeded Nassar in 1970. As a result of Sadat’s opposition to the corrupt regime he was jailed twice and after the second term of imprisonment left the armed services to become Nassar’s minister for Public Relations in charge of monitoring the abdication King Farouk and Egypt’s independence from British colonialisation * Although overshadowed by Nassar during the latter’s lifetime Sadat became a militant leader who threatened Israel between1970-73. He was responsible for the war on Israel which began on Yon Kippur in October 1973 and ended in a stalemate. The weak financial situation in Egypt at the time precipitated riots. * It was in this context that the ‘Statement to the Knesset’ took place. His visit to Israel was unprecedented for an Egyptian leader and the Sadat Initiative as it came to be called culminated in the Camp David talks which were led by American President Jimmy Carter. Sadat was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. * Sadat’s improved
Links: * Wikipedia page on Anwar Sadat * BBC Page on “1977: Egyptian leader’s Israel trip makes history” http://tutortales.wordpress.com/2009/07/01/speech-to-the-israeli-knesset-by-anwar-sadat/