Pathos In Barack Obama's Speech

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On May 13, 2009 former president Barack Obama gave a commencement speech at Arizona State University. This speech is one of the most compelling and influential speeches that Obama has delivered. Pathos is a key ingredient in the president's speech. His appeals to emotion are very functional. From the very beginning, the literary rhetoric of president Obama is subtle, yet powerful. His use of the element pathos is especially noteworthy, for he has a gift when it comes to manipulating any audience's emotions. Obama’s use of pathos in this particular speech can only be described as inspiring. He arranges his words so that they resonate with the audience, encouraging an emotion. In a moment where the former president is talking about aspiring to …show more content…

“‘Colonel Sanders didn't open up his first Kentucky Fried Chicken until he was in his 60s. Winston Churchill… took over as Prime Minister and saw Great Britain through its finest hour… they had passion, a commitment to following that passion wherever it would lead, and to working hard every step along the way.’” By using these historical figures as examples of success, Obama is motivating the audience to keep trying even if they fail because that is what the historical figures did and it led them to triumph. Through examples, whether historical or nonhistorical, president Obama plants an appeal to emotions. He inspires and motivates his audience with pathos, urging them to achieve more. On the visual side of Obama’s speech, his strategy to appeal to emotion is again, very subtle. His body language says the same amount as his words. For instance, if one were to view his speech, one would notice how Obama tends to point at the audience a fair amount of times. He does this to make the audience feel some sort of responsibility, for that is what many feel when being pointed at especially by an authoritative

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