Final answer:
The commas and semicolons in the passage help the audience stay engaged with the speech.
Step-by-step explanation:
The elements of the passage that are most likely to keep the audience engaged with the speech are the commas and the semicolons. These punctuation marks help to structure the sentences and break up the information, making it easier for the audience to follow along. They provide pauses and emphasis, allowing the audience to process and absorb the message being conveyed. For example, in the passage, the use of semicolons after 'white male citizens' and 'male citizens' helps to highlight and contrast the different groups being referred to, keeping the audience attentive to the speaker's argument.
Learn more about the importance of punctuation in keeping the audience engaged