Obama rhetorical analysis
Rhetorical Analysis Essay
President Obama’s 2009 Inaugural Address
In January of 2009 President Barack Obama addressed his country for the first time as president of the United States of America. Not only did he address his nation but he left them with a sense of empowerment. With the use of rhetoric, Obama and his speech writers were able to greatly influence their audience. In the speech as a whole, Obama used anaphora with the word “our”. This was not only a good move from a political standpoint but also from a strategic standpoint. By using the word “our” it portrays this idea that we are all in this together. It gives the viewer an empowering feeling and makes them feel as if they are and equal to Obama. It also gives the idea that Obama is one of us and has no sense of credibility or higher value just because he is the president. He is trying to play off of this average Joe persona. He opens his speech by saying he is “humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed”. By saying this he is trying to show the people how he is a down to earth man and is not of greater quality no worth than any other man or woman in our nation. This also creates an example of ethos. By being relatable and not too full of himself, he portrays himself as this character that is just like everybody else. He later goes on to say, “To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds.” This is an example of pathos. By saying this he is creating a connection and establishing an emotional bound with foreign countries. He goes on to say, “Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions.” This is an example of alliteration. By using one word after another that have a strong “p” sound providing a forceful delivery that rolls off the tongue. Finally Obama
President Obama’s 2009 Inaugural Address
In January of 2009 President Barack Obama addressed his country for the first time as president of the United States of America. Not only did he address his nation but he left them with a sense of empowerment. With the use of rhetoric, Obama and his speech writers were able to greatly influence their audience. In the speech as a whole, Obama used anaphora with the word “our”. This was not only a good move from a political standpoint but also from a strategic standpoint. By using the word “our” it portrays this idea that we are all in this together. It gives the viewer an empowering feeling and makes them feel as if they are and equal to Obama. It also gives the idea that Obama is one of us and has no sense of credibility or higher value just because he is the president. He is trying to play off of this average Joe persona. He opens his speech by saying he is “humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed”. By saying this he is trying to show the people how he is a down to earth man and is not of greater quality no worth than any other man or woman in our nation. This also creates an example of ethos. By being relatable and not too full of himself, he portrays himself as this character that is just like everybody else. He later goes on to say, “To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds.” This is an example of pathos. By saying this he is creating a connection and establishing an emotional bound with foreign countries. He goes on to say, “Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions.” This is an example of alliteration. By using one word after another that have a strong “p” sound providing a forceful delivery that rolls off the tongue. Finally Obama