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Andrea Ramirez

English 1302- 01

Professor Moore

11 February 2017

Emmas Uniting Movement

The popular Emma Watson, or best known as Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter

film, truly worked magic as she spoke her heart to several significant and influential officials at

the 2014 United Nations Conference. It was at this moment that Emma Watson got the

opportunity to launch her new campaign regarding gender equality known as He For She. All

eyes and ears were on Watson, listening intently while she discussed several issues pertaining to

gender equality and how it is effecting not only woman, but all people around the world.

Throughout her speech, Watson touched on topics such as defining the word feminism, womans

rights worldwide, and the pressures of mens role in society. Throughout her speech, Emma

Watson incorporated repetition, ethos, and logos to help her audience fully understand the

importance of putting an end to gender inequality.

With the use of repetition, Watson was able to insure her message was not just being

heard, but being understood by her audience. I think it is right that I am paid the same as my

male counterparts. I think it is right that I should be able to make decisions about my own body.

Watson continues to use the phrase I think three more times just in that paragraph alone.

Watson is rousing her audience with rights and opportunities she believes woman should

rightfully receive like all men around the World already have. Later in her speech the phrase

both men and woman as well as the word free were repeated multiple times while she

discussed the need to stop defining ourselves by who we are. Emma goes on to say that both
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men and woman should feel free. The word free is such a significant term because Freedom is

what Emma is fighting for, and ultimately what her campaign, He for She, is all about. Lastly,

mid speech, Watson asked herself If not me, who? If not now, when? These questions helped

Watson in moments of doubt, and while she was concluding her speech she revisited those

questions asking not herself, but the audience this time. She wanted them to ask themselves, If

not me, who? If not now, when? Watson left them with question that would get them thinking

on what their part could be in this movement for gender equality.

Many times Emma Watson used examples of ethos to reassure her audience she could be

trusted and was a credible source to be heard. At the beginning of her speech, before she gave

any facts and evidence, Watson shared she was appointed as Goodwill Ambassador for UN

woman six months prior to making this speech. Since being chosen as a Goodwill Ambassador

is such an incredible honor, it only goes to show that Emma Watson is the perfect person to

pursue this campaign on gender equality. Later, Watson begins to share personal life stories and

events that led her to feel that she herself was a so called feminist. It all started when Watson

was eight years old and was called bossy for wanting to direct the plays that would be

performed for her parents, and went on to say that the boys were never defined as so. She also

shared that at age fourteen she started to be sexualized by certain elements of the media.

Continuing with stories from ages fifteen and eighteen she then realized that something must be

done. Emma Watson is completely unbothered that her attitude on feminism comes off so strong,

because she wants to be one of the few that stands up to this issue, and wants to be the one who

can finally make a change.

Throughout her speech, Watson used logos many times to ensure her audience was

receiving accurate and valuable information pertaining to her address on gender quality. Emma
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Watson recited the definition of feminism early on her speech saying feminism by definition is

the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. By defining this

term before jumping into the main points of her message, she is able to educate her listeners on

what exactly feminism is. This key definition will help the audience further grasp the concept of

her campaign He for She, and will guide them in the direction she is trying to take it. Watson

then continues by stating It is the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the

sexes. She speaks of multiple instances throughout her speech on how both men and woman

should be given the same treatment in todays society where it isnt seen already. Watson begins

to educate her audience on worldly facts sharing it will take 75 years before woman can expect

to be paid the same as men, for the same work. 15.5 million Girls will be married in the next 16

years as children. Ending with at current rates it wont be until 2086 before all rural African

girls can have a secondary education. These are all true, factual statements Watson is able to

share with her audience that they may have not known already. She is continuously educating her

audience throughout her speech, and informing them on how exactly woman are being treated

worldwide.

Overall, Emma Watsons United Nations address on gender equality was organized in

such a way that could make any person stop and appreciate what needs to be done about this very

important issue. He for She is a campaign that was publicized with Watsons influential voice

and by the use of repetition, ethos, and logos her audience can get a clear understanding as to

what her message is truly about. Watson uses her words to encourage her listeners to stand up to

feminism and to be a part of her uniting movement. Emma Watson announces that she is

inviting you to step forward and for listeners everywhere to never forget to ask themselves if

not me, who? If not now, when?

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Work Cited

Watson , Emma. Emma Watson - United Nations Speech on Gender Equality -

Online Speech Bank. Emma Watson - United Nations Speech on

Gender Equality - Online Speech Bank, American Rhetoric