Professional, Motivational

Churchill spends the first half of his speech dropping information, so he keeps things pretty straightforward and logical. Even in the moments when he gets a little more dramatic, he sticks to the business at hand.

For example, check out when he explains why he created his war cabinet so quickly: "It was necessary that this should be done in one single day, on account of the extreme urgency and rigor of events" (8). Or even the opening line: "On Friday evening last I received His Majesty's commission to form a new Administration" (2). These both address pretty momentous subjects—Churchill's promotion to prime minister and facing war—but Churchill doesn't let emotion get in the way of providing needed information to his colleagues.

Then, when he's gotten through his business, Churchill turns up the drama to 11. He uses more dramatic language and less structured syntax to create emphasis and emotion. He's trying to not only drive home the seriousness of Britain's situation, but also to inspire Parliament to do what's necessary. It's like the last scene in any great sports movie, where the coach makes a moving speech and they come from behind the big game.

Except in this case the big game is total war, and winning means not getting conquered by an oppressive fascist empire led by a raving lunatic.

Churchill's motivational tone is particularly noticeable in lines like this one: "You ask, what is our policy? I will say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark and lamentable catalogue of human crime" (23-24).

It's a lot easier to feel motivated to "wage war" when you'd be fighting "monstrous tyranny," isn't it? As opposed to fighting a country that's just talking trash about you…or some fluffy bunnies.

No one ever wants to fight fluffy bunnies.