Abstract

This paper looks at Emma Watson's 2014 HeForShe speech at the United Nations and how she used different speaking techniques to promote gender equality. As a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, Watson used her fame to encourage both men and women to support feminism. The paper breaks down how Watson made her message clear using the Five Canons of Rhetoric, including how she organized her speech, used language, and connected with her audience. It also discusses how she used credibility, emotion, and logic to persuade people. The paper explores how Watson’s speech encouraged men, especially younger ones, to care about gender equality, and it looks at both the positive reactions and the criticisms she faced. In the end, her speech helped change how people think about feminism and called for men and women to work together for equality.

Date

Spring 2025

Included in

Communication Commons

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