The Future of Education

Exploring the rhetorical techniques that contribute to effective public discourse is vital for the future of education and for shaping the voices of tomorrow as they develop their oratory skillsets. Knowledge and awareness of such rhetorical techniques can empower L2 learners to better disseminate their messages to a global audience. To provide vivid examples for L2 learners of English in Japan to model, this study conducts a rhetorical analysis of five recent English-language speeches by Japanese gender equality activists to document their public speaking strategies. A qualitative research design with descriptive data was employed, and the study was framed by the key research question: What are the rhetorical techniques and message-framing approaches utilized by Japanese gender equality activists? Speech transcripts from five Japanese TED Talk presenters were analyzed in two stages using MAXQDA 2020 software. Firstly, established rhetorical language techniques were identified and coded in the transcripts by using a modified version of the University of Kentucky’s official glossary of rhetorical terms (n.d.) as a framework for analysis. Secondly, the overall message-framing approaches (Fairhurst, 2011) used by the speakers were analyzed. Findings indicate that the activists in this study used a range of English language rhetorical techniques, often in combination, and that certain techniques were more prominent than others. Subtle patterns were also observed in how the speakers adhered to certain message-framing approaches to reinforce the persuasiveness of their speeches. Rhetorical parallels with prominent gender activists in the West are evident, and pedagogical implications for English language instructors preparing public speaking skills courses in higher education can also be drawn from the findings of this study.