How to use a Harangue
The best way to use a harangue is to deliver a crucial message or call upon audiences to act in some way. The subject matter can vary greatly, but it has several distinguishing characteristics that set it apart from other less serious speeches or talks. Here are some tips on how to use a harangue, and distinguish it from other speeches:
- The tone should always be intense and heated, filled with emotion and energy
- The content should be serious and significant to the plot and characters
- The speaker should be fierce and impassioned in his delivery
- The speaker should be someone whose words people value, obey, or respect
- Its purpose should be to strongly influence those who witness it
- It should bring about some sort of significant reaction or response from the audience
When to use a Harangue
Harangues only work in the right settings and situations. They are normally given to a crowd or at a public gathering, where the listeners are being asked to recognize and respond to a pressing issue or conflict that the speaker has brought forth. Thus, one of the best times to use a harangue is when a plot calls for action, response, and change.
Harangues are great devices in fiction, but it’s important to remember that they are also real life speeches! So, you can use them when writing both fiction and nonfiction—after all, many famous historical speeches have been recorded and recounted. They can also work across all kinds of genres, even comedy—for instance, a character may be giving a harangue in their mind, but, it could be received as humorous depending on the audience and the content.