IEFInternational Education Forum3083-49022981-8605Bio-Byword Scientific Publishing Pty. Ltd.10.26689/ief.v3i10.12763ArticleAn Exploration of the Application of English Rhetorical Devices in College Students’ Public Speech Competitionshttps://artdesignp.com/journal/IEF/3/10/10.26689/ief.v3i10.12763HeYan20253102025-11-14Public speech demonstrates an individual’s critical thinking ability, language expression skills, and, most importantly, the depth of thought. This is also true for college students. Using the public speech platform to showcase themselves and propagate their ideas is of profound significance for the cultivation of their comprehensive quality. Taking English as a requirement for public speeches can further enhance students’ cross-cultural understanding and communication abilities. The use of various rhetorical devices to train and improve the appeal of language and the persuasiveness of speeches is worthy of in-depth discussion and practice. Therefore, combining the types of rhetorical devices with the actual situation of college students, this paper puts forward several feasible and effective suggestions and strategies, hoping to provide a reference for college students to improve the quality of their English speeches.

Chen L, 2024, Exploration of the 5S Integrated Teaching Model for English Thematic Public Speaking from the Perspective of Ideological and Political Education in Curriculum: A Case Study of the Unit Design of “My Chinese Dream”. English Square, 2024(S1): 15–18.

Chen L, 2023, An Investigation into Mixed Metaphors in “The Wall and the Bridge”: A Case Study of Public Speech Discourse by Advanced English Learners. Foreign Language Research, 40(05): 26–33 + 57.

Zhu Y, 2022, The Form of Public Opinion Communication in Hu Shi’s Speeches in the Early Republican Period: Discourse Rhetoric, Reasoning Awareness, and Public Sphere. Journal of Tsinghua University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), 37(06): 190–197 + 221.

Liu T, 2022, Public Rhetoric: Public Interests in Discourse Practice and Their Rhetorical Construction. Journal of Northwest Normal University (Social Sciences Edition), 59(06): 67–82.

Wang X, 2022, An Analysis of Rhetorical Strategies in International Public Speeches from the Perspective of the “Identification” Theory: A Case Study of the Keynote Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the 2021 Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference. Overseas English, 2022(05): 72–73 + 76.

Zhang L, 2022, Research on Improving College Students’ Practical Application Abilities in English Public Speaking Course Teaching in the New Media Era: A Review of English Speech and Eloquence. Science and Technology Management Research, 42(04): 240–241.

Wang Y, 2020, Exploration of the English Public Speaking Course Model at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. China University Teaching, 2020(08): 92–96.

Zhang X, 2020, Research on Cultivating English Speaking Abilities of English Majors at the Undergraduate Level. Overseas English, 2020(06): 186–187.

Wang Y, 2020, The Pragmatic Identity Construction of Business Public Figures in the Context of Public Speeches: A Case Study of Jack Ma’s Speech at the Hong Kong University Graduation Ceremony. Journal of Hefei University (Comprehensive Edition), 37(01): 52–55.

Gao Y, 2020, English Public Speaking Course: Conveying Thoughts and Emotions through Flowing Voices. Modern English, 2020(01): 108–110 + 114.

Yang J, Xu Z, 2019, Opening Speeches of Economic Forums from the Perspective of the “Identification” Theory: A Case Study of the Keynote Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum. Journal of Huainan Normal University, 21(05): 71–74.

Wei X, 2018, A Powerful Tool for Public Speaking: Personal Authority—A Case Study of Trump’s Inaugural Address. Journal of Hunan University of Science and Engineering, 39(12): 159–161.

Li N, 2015, An Analysis of the Stylistic Features of English Public Speeches: A Case Study of “The Best Gift I Ever Survived”. Journal of Changchun Education Institute, 31(21): 41–43.

Tan C, 2014, A Brief Discussion on the Role of Debates in Cultivating College Students’ Public Speaking Abilities: A Case Study of British Parliamentary Debates. Overseas English, 2014(09): 15–16.

Li M, Peng JW, 2012, Stylistic Features of Public Speech English: A Case Study of Churchill’s “Speech on Hitler’s Invasion of the Soviet Union”. Journal of Jixi University, 12(07): 93–94.