Political Rhetoric Essay

washstand F. Kennedy and Barack Obama both authorize successful attempts at addressing the thoughts, concerns, and fears of the Ameri sound hoi polloi in their expressiones made on the egalitarian platform. whoremonger F. Kennedy addresses the e declargon in his 1960 first Address, while Obama addresses Bostonians at Democratic Convention in a speech entitled The Audacity of Hope. twain speakers base the smart use of the rhetorical devices ethos, logos, and pathos for the theatrical role of realiseing support for policies and ideas thought to be important in shaping the future of the country. The appeals made by these speakers demonstrate an ability to grab the interest of the auditory sense and engage their attention by dint of continued appeals to their conscience as humans and the showsns (C each(prenominal)a focal point). Both Obama and Kennedy succeed in employing these honest, logical systemal, and pathetic modes of discourse in a t i that seeks to motivate an d vivify their auditory senses to support them in their endeavors.As a vernal Catholic, John F. Kennedys road to the white house was filled with gruelingies. He lost the ball(a)oting for the Democratic candidacy in 1956, and was forced to wait four more years be root word he could gain the chance to run for the American Presidency. His victory over Richard Nixon in zero(prenominal)ember of 1960 was really hard won, with m any per word of honors discreet of his campaign strategy involving making the United pronounces a new frontier. As the country had entered an economic slump and set about the threat of communism, his job was difficult on both domestic and foreign frontiers. Yet, his policies were dynamic, and he audibly harbinger the dawn of a new generation (The White House).John F. Kennedy gave his world-class speech on January 20, 1961 as the 35th president of the United States and the youngest bingle to date (Carter 36). This inaugural speech is an exemplary one in the field of force of rhetoric for it skillfully engages its audience with tone at the beginning of the speech, as he d acceptplays the Democratic victory and calls attention to the tradition of improperness that has been the heritage of the American batch (Meyer 239).He speaks non of victory of a party but a celebration of exemptionsymbolizing an end as puff up as a beginningsignifying a renewal as well as change (Kennedy). Using well chosen diction, he decl ars unselfishly an inspiration to protect the hard-won freedom and a determi tribe to put to tame morally on the national and international scene. He makes the claim that politeness is non a sign of weakness, thereby underscoring the importance of ethical manage and principled behavior (Kennedy).Kennedys assertion of the unity of his country is one that, according to his discourse, aims to extend to the entirety of the Americas. He clarifies the con school adjudge of this civility by highlighting the courage that s hould attend all diplomatic endeavors. This was the period of the verbalise of Pigs in which Russias app arnt aim was to establish a carriage in Cuba. Kennedy decl bes, Let every assorted power know that this cerebral hemisphere intends to re main(prenominal) the master of its own house (Kennedy). This represents an ethical claim which finds it retributive and right for the stronger nations in the region to stand guard on behalf of the weaker ones. Kennedy makes this affirmation in stage to argue that the United States does and should consider it its duty to safety device the interests of the countries of Earths Western Hemisphere. John F. Kennedy as well as appeals to the logical wiz of the entire nation in a number of ways passim his speech (Meyer 239). For moral, he refers to the diplomacy he intends to undertake with former(a) nations and announces that logic and discussion will attend such(prenominal) diplomatic meetings for the discussion of blazonry and hostile military activity. He displays the logic of his belief in his literary argument that nations in conflict do well to formulate serious and exact proposals for the inspection and control of arms (Kennedy). The systematic method in which these proposed ideas atomic number 18 to be dealt with underscores the logical construction of the manner in which such negotiations are to proceed. The speech by Kennedy withal reflects a significant appeal to the sentiments of the nation (Meyer 139). The pathetic sympathies of his audience are aroused in his appeal to the traditions of liberty upon which the nation has been built. This patriotism elicits the pride and nationalism of the audience in the anticipate of identifying and exploiting the connection between the militarist challenges of the past and his proposal for diplomatic action in the future.He appeals for their support in his famous lines, communicate not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. A sk not what America will do for you but what together we can do for the freedom of man (Kennedy). He makes this appeal, and in doing so requests the assist of Americans sense of duty, which should be unwilling to witness or permit any form of encroachment upon the freedom hard won by those forefathers who died on the battlefields (Kennedy). Here he signalizes that the Soviet efforts to establish threatening communist connections with Cuba would not be tolerated by the United States. Kennedy also appeals to the trepidation felt by many Americans because of the stand-off developing between the United States and the Soviet Union. He refers to the state of atomic warfare in the world and speaks to the widespread fear that seemed to percolate the nation since the atomic bomb became a threat. He demonstrates his understanding of wads concern with what he terms the steady spread of the crazily atom (Kennedy). He makes this appeal to the fear they feel in order to win their support for the military budget he subsequently proposes. Kennedy evokes the enigmatical sense of endurance of the good deal in a call to weather the burden of a long, twilight struggle, year in and year off (Kennedy).This reflects the depth of the seriousness which he attributes to the threat of atomic aggression by hostile Communist states. Furthermore, the fact that this idea is given immediately hobby the allusion to the graves of young Americans who answered the call to service around the globe points to the gravity of the situation that faces the United States. Kennedy, therefore, stirs the feelings of his audience in order to garner their word convey of the idea that the costly upkeep of the military most likely preeminent to a greater tax burden is of great necessity to the preservation of American life, liberty, and dignity. It will be seen that the effectiveness of Barack Obamas speech utilizes techniques that are similar to those used by Kennedy.Barack Obamas keynote speec h to the field of study Democratic Convention was given on July 29, 2004 before he became a Senator (African-American 16). His goal in giving this speech is to promote the idea of breathing the American dream under the democratic candidate John Kerry. It is an example of a speech scripted to appeal to readers on some(prenominal) trains of the rhetorical scale. At this point in Obamas life, he is a extremity of the Illinois state legislature and has recently announced his candidacy for the United States Senate.As a legislator, he has had exposure to the responsibility of making ethical decisions that precede in the better regulation of the liberties promised in the constitution (Mack 99). He has also done work in very poor neighborhoods, and knows firsthand the problems faced by the people in those areas. The moral credibility of this speech is corporate in this central purpose to promote and support life, liberty and the sake of happiness (Obama).He cites these qualities as universe attributable to a religious belief in simple dreams, an insistence on small miracles that we can meet in our children at night and know that they are fed and intent and safe from harm that we can say what we think, write what we think, without hearing a sudden knock on the door (Obama). The knowledge Obama has gained from his diverse assure qualifies him to speak on the behalf of a candidate whose aims are drafted along the lines of enacting economy that will improve peoples social condition.Obama also uses ethical reasoning in his charge to the American leadership to engage the governments of other nations in talks that will commix countries under the banner of their earthy problems rather than divide them based on conflict. He charges such leaders to encourage them to explore the areas of science that give wonder and hope, rather than those areas that daunt and promise harm. In this way, Obama appeals to the deep sense of moral character and legality possesse d by his hearers, and which he knows they hope for the person he introduces John Kerry to bring to his agenda as a democratic candidate for the presidency.Obama also utilizes the rhetorical device of pathos in his Democratic Convention speech. From the very beginning of his speech, his words appeal to the sentiments of his audience as he reminisces on the ancestral lines that brought him to where he now stands. He highlights how unlikely it is for him to contrive achieved the exclusive right of being in his current position, because of the lowliness of his fathers birth (Mack 101). His lowliness is evident in his use of the phrase Thank you eight clock in the first two lines. He mentions the goat-herding vocation of his father, and yet contrasts this with the cogency of the dreams his grandfather had for his goat-herding son.Obama appeals further to the audiences sentiment by underlining the level of hard work to which his maternal grandfather committed himself, emphasizing h is eagerness to enlist in the American military on the day that fall Harbor was bombed. He also does this in his reference to the variety of people who seek a land in which they call home.He says, Its the hope of slaves sitting around a fire singing freedom songs the hope of immigrants setting out for distant shores the hope of a young naval lieutenant bravely patrolling the Mekong Delta the hope of a mill-workers son who dares to defy the odds the hope of a skinny kid with a funny name who believes that America has a place for him, too (Obama). In this way, he appeals to the patriotic nature of the audience and to highlight the right he and the diverse population have to claim this nation as their own.Barack Obama also makes a joint appeal both to the logos and pathos of the audience in his allusion to the job and health care situations in America. He says, It is that extreme belief I am my brothers keeper. I am my sisters keeper that makes this country work, and this represents his foreplay of the conscience of the people toward a more communal type of social policy he advocates (Obama). He also demonstrates reasoning and in his treatment of specific problems, evoking a sense that justice fails where people who have worked diligently all their lives are now required to compete with teenagers for low-paying jobs.This form of appeal also comes to the fore where he mentions the hardworking father who is at a loss to kind out how he can pay a $4500 weekly notification for his sick son when he cannot afford insurance (Obama). The dismal dower evoke the sympathy of his hearers. He also combines logos and pathos in his mention of the health care situation. From a logical point of view, humanitarian considerations support the idea of universal health care and hard work should logically be rewarded with proper medical treatment when necessary.The tone of Obamas address is one of patriotism and urgency. He speaks of the drive and heart of the American people und erscores his point that the leader he endorses believes strongly in the ideas he has put forth. He says, Now even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us the spin masters, the negative ad peddlers who get across the politics of anything goes. Well, I say to them tonight, there is not a big America and a conservative America there is the United States of America (Obama).His tone is also inspirational and motivational, and he highlights the ways in which the passionateness and ambition of the American people has the ability not just to make them succeed in the things to which they put their hands and minds, but also to unite them as one nation. Yet he also highlights the areas that need change, and encourages all the audience that together such goals can be achieved if the American world-class and ingenuity is employed. He exhorts his audience with his words and provocative tone to move forward by selecting the right candidate. The speeches of John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama use rhetoric as a means of constructing logical and ethical arguments that appeal also to the sentiments of their audience. Both speakers show themselves to be exceptional orators and to possess skill in rousing the spirits of the nation in support of their political campaigns. They also show themselves to be united in their efforts to earn the backing of the American people for future domestic and foreign policies.Obama appeals to the deepest and most immediate concerns of the people, and by insisting on his interest in social welfare programs, shows himself worthy of their organized religion and sympathies. Kennedys inaugural speech highlights the endeavor of a newly take Democratic president to air the qualities of an unproven leader as being propitious for the direction the country seeks to take. Kennedy makes himself one with the people by referring to the areas in which they share ethical beliefs and logical connections. Both speakers allude to recent and old historical periods in which wars were fought and Americans died. In so doing, the speakers are able to garner support for the policies that will preserve freedom and prosperity for many gave their lives. whole kit CitedAn African-American Law School Professor Aims to Become the Fifth grim U.S. Senator. The diary of smuttys in higher(prenominal) Education. Vol. 43 (Spring, 2004) pp 16 17. JSTOR. http//links.jstor.org/sici?sici=10773711%28200421%290%3A43%3C16 %3AAALSPA%3E2.0.CO%3B2-R.Callaway, Michael. Logos, Ethos, and Pathos. Arizona State University. 26 January 2008 http//www.public.asu.edu/macalla/logosethospathos.html.Carter, Burnham Jr. President Kennedys Inaugural Address. College Composition and Communication. Vol. 14 No. 1 (February, 1963) pp 36 40. JSTOR. 1 February 2008 http//links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0010096X%28196302%2914%3A1%3C36%3APKIA%3 E2.0.CO%3B2-QKennedy, John Fitzgerald. Inaugural Address. 20 January 1061. American magniloquence Online quarrel Ba nk. 26 January 2008 http//www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jfkinaugural.htm.Mack, Kenneth W. Barack Obama before He Was a Rising political Star The Journal of Blacks in high Education. No. 45, pp 99 104 (Autumn, 2004). JSTOR. 1 February 2008 http//links.jstor.org/sici?sici=1077-3711%28200423%290%3A45%3C98%3ABOBHWA%3E2.0.CO%3B2-N.Meyer, Sam. The John F. Kennedy opening Speech usage and richness of Its Address System. Rhetoric Society Quarterly Vol. 12 No. 4 (Autumn, 1982), pp. 239- 250. JSTOR. 1 February 2008 http//links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0277-3945%28198223%2912%3A4%3C239%3ATJFKIS%3E2.0.CO%3B2-M .Obama, Barack. The Audacity of Hope. 27 July 2004. American Rhetoric Online Speech Bank. 26 January 2008 http//www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/convention2004/barackobama2004dnc.htm.White House, The. John Kennedy. Past Presidents. Washington. Retrieved on February 18, 2008 from http//www.whitehouse.gov/ memoir/presidents/jk35.htmlAnnotated BibliographyAn African-American Law S chool Professor Aims to Become the Fifth Black U.S. Senator. The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. Vol. 43 (Spring, 2004) pp 16 17. JSTOR. .This clause from The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education appeared in the Spring 2004 edition. It is an un-authored article that talks about Barack Obamas rise through the political ranks all the way up to running for Senator. This article will help provide stress information related to Obamas early years in the State Legislature and later on in the Senate.Blakesley, David, and Jeffrey Hoogeveen. The Brief Thompson Handbook. Ohio Thomson Wadsworth, 2008.This book is a handbook used for reference in all forms of writing. It has unique sections such as MLA documentation and how to research writing critically. It served a dual purpose in my paper as it was able to help me define several key terms as well as cite all appropriate sources properly.Callaway, Michael. Logos, Ethos, and Pathos. Arizona State University. 26 January 2008 .Th is set presents a cooperative chart on the ethos, pathos, and logos, which weely differentiates each of the three styles of presenting an argument. It also presents clear definition as well as some examples from known articles written by recognized celebrities. It also gave insight into how to prepare a well-developed sample on rhetoric.Carter, Burnham Jr. President Kennedys Inaugural Address. College Composition and Communication. Vol. 14 No. 1 (February, 1963) pp 36 40. JSTOR. 1 February 2008 http//links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0010096X%28196302%2914%3A1%3 C36%3APKIA%3E2.0.CO%3B2-QThis five varlet article by Burnham Carter Jr. was written two years aft(prenominal) President John F. Kennedy gave his Inaugural Address. It praises Kennedys words and goes on to explore why it was such a great speech. This article is very well organized and uses outsides sources to get its point across. The ideas in this article will provide a basis upon which to build further arguments concernin g the effectiveness of John F. Kennedys speech.Clarke, Thurston. The Inauguration of John F. Kennedy and the Speech That Changed America. The San Francisco accounting. 24 October, 2004. 26 January 2008 .This article from the San Francisco Chronicle by Thurston Clarke recounts one of the most famous speeches ever given The Inauguration of JFK. There was a myth that the speech could have been written by JFKs assistant, Ted Sorensen. However, in the article Thurston disproves the rumor and demonstrates how JFK was the true author of his own remarkable words. The work helps give insight into the strategic mind of John F. Kennedy, and will apply to the logical aspects of the analytic paper..Kennedy, John Fitzgerald. Inaugural Address. 20 January 1061. American Rhetoric Online Speech Bank. 26 January 2008 .John F Kennedys Inaugural Address can be found in the Online Speech Bank of the American Rhetoric website. On this specific page it has the audio, video, and text of the speech that I will be analyzing. The speech will be examined on the following areas of rhetoric pathos, logos and ethos, and will provide the base material to be assessed.Mack, Kenneth W. Barack Obama before He Was a Rising Political Star The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. No. 45, pp 99 104 (Autumn, 2004). JSTOR. 1 February 2008 .Kenneth W. Mack wrote this four page article for The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education in the Fall of 2004. In the article, Mack addresses his relationship with Barack Obama on both a political and personal scale. He recounts anecdotes of himself and Obama along with other important political figures to shed light on hwo deserving Obama is of his acclaim. He also analyzes the Keynote Address that Obama gave at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. This article will provide deeper insight into the Obamas character, and will inform the main ideas presented in the analysis of his speech.Meyer, Sam. The John F. Kennedy Inauguration Speech Function and Importance of Its Address System. Rhetoric Society Quarterly Vol. 12 No. 4 (Autumn, 1982), pp. 239-250. JSTOR. 1 February 2008 .This twelve page article is an in-depth analysis on John F Kennedys Inaugural Speech. It explores all aspects of the speech with divisions ranging from the audience to logos, pathos, and ethos. It breaks down different quotations and analyzes the content and not only the textual meaning but possible broader meanings. It will aid in the relation of the ideas presented in JFKs speech to the context in which it was made.Obama, Barack. The Audacity of Hope. 27 July 2004. American Rhetoric Online Speech Bank. 26 January 2008 .The American Rhetoric is a website that houses famous pieces of literature, both American and Foreign. This particular piece is a speech from the 2004 Democratic National Convention and is the Key Note Address. The speech is given by Barack Obama when he was still a member of the Illinois State Legislator. I will be examining the speech for the main elements of Rhetoric logos, pathos and ethos. It will be used as the main source from which quotations and examples will be draw in an analysis of the speechs effectiveness.Ramage, John, John Bean, and June Johnson. Writing Arguments A Rhetoric with Readings. 7th ed. White Plains, NY Longman, 2006.This is a book that revolves around the topic of arguments. It defines argument, presents numerous argument readings over the pages, and then tackles on assisting readers into writing arguments. integrity of the arguments in the text is a speech by Former lawyer General John Ashcroft titled, Testimony to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Using pathos Ashcroft states that America must not be complacent and should be person-to-person in defending the nation against terrorist attacks. Another argument in the book is made by Patricia Williams in an article titled To See or Not to See. This article tackles the invalidity of the antiterrorism policies, especially whe n it comes to liberty and human rights of the minorities. The methods in which these state officials tackle these tough problems will give insight into the difficulties veneer Kennedy at the time. Comparisons of his attitude with that of these contemporary leaders will help to indicate the extent to which his proposed policies were necessary.United Sates. Senate. Barack Obama U.S. Senator for Illinois. 1 February 2008.This website is the homepage for Senator Barack Obama. It is a very detailed site with many subsidiary pages that include things from biographical information to his previous speeches on podcast. The homepage has an RSS feed that gives up to the minute latest news relating to the Senator. It also indicates the issues for which Obama argues and different committees with which he is associated. This source gives an idea of the Obamas political interests and facilitates the comparison of his speechs main points. It also gives insight into the areas in which Obama may have done (or found) research for his speech.White House, The. John Kennedy. Past Presidents. Washington. Retrieved on February 18, 2008 from http//www.whitehouse.gov/ account statement/presidents/jk35.htmlThis article is a biography of John F. Kennedy, detailing his birth, tour in Japan, road to the White House and subsequent assassination while in office. It also tells of other accomplishments, the Bay of Pigs campaign, and the overall mission that he had in store for the country. It is useful as a source of general flat coat information concerning Kennedy.