Australians Speak Out
Subtitle: Persuasive Language Styles
Publisher: Parula Press
Published: 2022
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 380
ISBN-13: 9781737489504
Copyright date: 2022
Subjects: Language arts; Australia, history
Description: The book assesses rhetorical stylistic choices of public figures in a representative democracy, referencing over 20 notable Australians from the 1890s to modern times. "Although it may seem like Australians Speak Out will be...a country-specific analysis of Australia's linguistic idiosyncrasies, this is a book **designed to appeal to a broad audience...Miller's orators resonate with power**. Lest Americans think this won't apply to their history and concerns, consider the radio broadcast of John Curtin in his 1942 radio speech to America about the progression of World War II: 'If Australia goes, the Americas are wide open...If you believe anything to the contrary then you delude yourselves.' ...passionate people who wielded their words as firmly and effectively as battlefield swords and guns... **key lessons about using everyday language to reach people ...highly recommended...**" (*D. Donovan,* REVIEWER'S CHOICE, Senior Reviewer, **Midwest Book Review**).

Includes full texts of 15 noteworthy speeches and writing illustrating how ordinary words move hearts and minds, describing metaphor, democratic symbols, humour, polemic, propaganda, and other elements of style. **Insights to evaluate or prepare public discourse, including digital media.**

Identifies 18 ways that speakers and writers choose language to find common ground: **"A fascinating, monumental book..."** (*Roslyn Petelin PhD,* Honorary Associate Professor, School of Communication and Arts, **The University of Queensland** and author *How Writing Works*). **"Miller's... keen eye, quick prose, and strong choice of material keep the reader engaged..."** (*Harry Hobbs PhD,* Associate Professor, University Technology Sydney Faculty of Law in **Australian Law Journal**).

Assesses language of: **Sir Samuel Griffith** (chief justice 1903-19); **Louisa Lawson** (poet, writer, publisher, activist for women's suffrage, 1848-1920); **Alfred Deakin** (prime minister, 1903-05, 1905-08, and 1909-10); **Sir Robert Menzies** (prime minister 1939-41 and 1949-66); **John Curtin** (wartime prime minister 1941-5); **Gough Whitlam** (prime minister 1972-5); **Oodgeroo of the Noonuccal Tribe** [Kath Walker] (poet, artist, author, and activist for First Nations, 1920-93); **Bob Hawke** (union leader, then prime minister 1983-91); **Kevin Gilbert** (author, artist, poet, and activist for First Nations, 1933-93); **Germaine Greer** (author, academic, and activist for women's rights, born 1939-); and **Michael Kirby** (law reforming jurist and High Court justice 1996-2009).

Recent, powerful speeches assessed are prime ministers **Paul Keating** on reconciliation in 1992, **John Howard** on arms recall after Port Arthur in 1996, **Kevin Rudd** on the Apology in 2008, and **Julia Gillard** on sexism in 2012, together with a powerful eulogy for prime minister Gough Whitlam by **Noel Pearson** in 2014, and a broadcast on coronavirus by prime minister **Scott Morrison** in 2020.

**CONTENTS:** Language for Persuasion; Democratic Talk of John Curtin and Sir Robert Menzies; Polemic and Propaganda; Rhetorical Humour; Political Words of Gough Whitlam; Choices for Public Talk; The Quiet Rhetoric of Sir Samuel Walker Griffith; Louisa Lawson on Womanhood Suffrage; Alfred Deakin's Language Strategy; Sir Robert Menzies's Measured Style; Action Calls of Kevin Gilbert and Oodgeroo Noonuccal [Kath Walker]; 'Revolution' Rhetoric of Germaine Greer; Winning on Television-Bob Hawke; Reform Advocacy of Michael Kirby; Continuing to Speak Out-Paul Keating, John Howard, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Noel Pearson, and Scott Morrison; Conclusion; Full text of 15 Notable Speeches and Writing; Appendices; Source Notes; Bibliography; Index.