Introduction

The terms ‘voice’ and ‘text’ are multifaceted. Both have a wide range of possible meanings in everyday speech and academic usage. You may encounter the two words used in a variety of ways, in connection with different subjects, and they won’t always mean exactly the same thing. In the following sections, we will explore the shifting meanings and associations of ‘voice’ and ‘text’, and then examine the way the two terms come together in a particular kind of language use: speeches and speech-making. One of the best ways to uncover the various meanings of concepts like ‘voice’ and ‘text’ is through engaging in activities where you can see the terms being used, and this is what we are about to do.

Learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of some fundamental aspects of rhetoric
• Demonstrate skills of textual analysis
• Appreciate the importance of the audience in relation to speech-making.