Rhetorical Analysis Of Sarah Palin's Speech

On January 19, 2016, during the election process for the new president, presidential candidate Donald J. Trump is endorsed by well-known Politician Sarah Palin. She conveys a convincing speech that catches the audience's attention on who they want as a leader for this country. Through the use of imagery & sarcasm and Ethos, along with enthusiastic facial expressions, direct eye contact, and confident posture, Palin stresses her beliefs and what she believes Trump will do for our country. Sarah Palin brings her opinion to the table and informs the audience on the trust she has for Donald Trump with a faithful, optimistic message about his background and reputation. Palin’s purpose of the speech is to show America that in order for our country

to be great again, we need an effective leader who is willing to work for the security and strength in our country. The intended audience she trying to reach out to, is the citizens of the United States who are left with the decision.
Sarah Palin uses multiple rhetorical devices to help support her argument, such as ethos.

Through the use of ethos, Palin informs the people on the facts about Donald Trump to allow the audience to put more trust and faith on his presidency. Palin speaks of the complaints that were brought up from the citizens on the issues Trump mentions in his debates. A majority of the public did not want to talk about the issues of our guns, or God, and the Constitution until they were brought up in the debates. Sarah Palin gives credit to Trump by saying “These issues that Donald Trump talks about had to be debated. And he brought them to the forefront” (Blaine) and to add to the effect of her argument she then mentions “And that’s why we are where we are today with good discussion” (Blaine). She states the fact the Trump will not put problems aside and avoid them just for the pleasure of the people. She puts faith in the audience that in order for America to become great again, we need someone who is willing to solve these issues. Therefore, with Palin’s confident tone of voice and expressive body language, she persuades the people to put their trust in Trump. This is still important today because either way, people have to put their trust on who is now our current day

president.
By incorporating her own opinion on our previous president Obama, Palin incorporates sarcasm and imagery into her argument. Towards the conclusion of her speech Palin makes the comment, "Now, finally friends, I want you to try to picture this, it’s a nice thing to picture. Exactly one year from tomorrow, ‘former’ President Barack Obama. He packs up the teleprompters and the selfie-sticks, and the Greek columns, and all that hopey, changey stuff and he heads on back to Chicago, where I’m sure he can find some community there to organize again” (Blaine). At this point, tension is raised in the crowd, and the audience has a reaction of oh’s and ah’s to reveal how they feel about Obama and Palin’s opinion. This is strange today because Sarah Palin had enough confidence to express her opinion about former President Obama understanding the circumstances that comes from speaking her opinion but her speaking her opinion on Obama, does help support her argument.
Throughout Palin’s speech, she uses body language such as direct eye contact towards Trump and the audience. Research argues that direct eye contact shows that someone is honest and confident about the situation or what is being said. It also allows the audience to know that the speaker is informed on the situation and is trustworthy (“Eye Contact”). Palin understands that when given direct eye contact, allows the audience to feel important and included and that results in the audience to become more interest in what she has to say. While making direct eye contact with the audience, Palin uses the words ‘we’ to allow the people to know that they are part of the campaign. She says “We all have a part in this. We all have a responsibility. Looking around at all of you, you hardworking Iowa families...” (Blaine). Palin is allowing the audience to know that they are included and that recognizing their presences and attention to the speech, will show the audience that she is considerate of them. This is important today because people still feel more important when direct eye contact is given.
Furthermore, Palin uses additional body language such as arm movements, gripping of the podium, pointing up & towards Trump, and an O-shaped hand movement. All of these movements signify right of authority, confidence, and a serious tone in the argument (Angelica). During Palin’s speech she mentions “Our troops deserve the best, you deserve the best! He is from the private sector, not a politician, can I get a “Hallelujah” (Blaine). While saying these words, Palin begins to point up, then towards the crowd when mentioning the word ‘you’ and the points toward Trump when saying the word ‘he’ to add credibility to the audience and towards Trump. In addition, Palin takes grip of the podium to signify, right of authority and who is in control. This also goes along with the O-shaped hand movement. To show that Sarah Palin is confident in what she is saying about Trump and that she wants to audience to understand. This is important because people today still use sign of authority body language to help support their argument.
Sarah Palin’s primary goal of the speech was to persuade the audience to put their trust into the new incoming president Donald J. Trump and due to the reaction of the crowd, Palin seems to have accomplished her goal. This speech is significant because it reveals why Palin chose to use specific body language, and rhetorical devices such as ethos and imagery. This speech fits into today's society because of Donald Trump now being our current president. Palin’s speech explains the importance of putting trust and confidence in a new leader of one the most powerful nations in the world.