The article presents the analysis of widely used forms of persuasion strategies in public speech. The research is based on the inaugural addresses of all American presidents who were elected to the office twice. As the institution of presidency in the USA has existed since 1789 the language of presidential inaugural addresses presents various rhetorical devices and can be used as an invaluable source of teaching persuasion strategies in public speech. Special attention is given to identifying different lexical means (particular groups of verbs, adverbs, adjectives and pronouns used for emphasis and persuasion) and stylistic devices (figures and tropes of speech) and their changes throughout time.