Rhetorical Analysis Of 'The Ballot Or The Bullet'

In his speech, “The Ballot or the Bullet,” Malcolm X’s tone is objective, yet motivating and optimistic, as he describes the theory of black nationalism, which he thinks all blacks must embrace in order to unite as a community under a single goal, to achieve equality. Through the use of factual evidence, schemes, and personal pronouns, Malcolm X builds on his ethos as he makes himself a more credible, trustworthy speaker about the dire situation of blacks. In the beginning of the speech, Malcolm X builds a personal profile of himself, as he mentions that he is a Muslim. However, after doing so, he disregards religion, claiming it does not matter. He states, “Whether we are Christians or Muslims or nationalists or agnostics, or atheists, we must first learn to forget our differences.” His authoritative and didactic tone here contributes to his ethos as it makes him sound credible.

He adds, “We certainly have more in common with each other than Kennedy and Khrushchev had with each other.” By making a historical reference, one is persuaded more easily by his argument because he sounds more knowledgeable.

On the following page, Malcolm X adds that “1964 threatens to be the most explosive year America has ever witnessed.” He makes an argument that the white politicians, looking for votes from the black community, will make “false promises which they don’t intend to keep” with “their trickery and their treachery.” Malcolm X’s tone here is compelling, yet also unwavering, and leaves no room for argument. This, once again, builds on his ethos as he sounds very believable while doing so. In the following paragraphs, Malcolm X constantly repeats that he is not an American, claiming that if he was, he “wouldn’t need any” legislation or amendments to the Constitution. The parallel structure of these sentences makes him sound more trustworthy, and the audience would clearly be personally affected by this

statement. Overall, as he introduces the topic he discusses in the speech, the appeal of ethos is readily present.
Later in the speech, he introduces black nationalism, while saying, “it’ll be ballots, it’ll be bullets. it’ll be liberty, or it will be death.” The antithesis and parallel structure, of these two sentences adds to his ethos, as the short syntax makes him sound knowledgeable about the topic. He says, “Our mothers and fathers invested sweat and blood. Three hundred and ten years we worked in this country without a dime in return - - I mean without a dime in return.” By once again referencing historical details, the audience believes his argument more easily. He adds later, “Give it to us. Don’t wait for next year. Give it to us yesterday, and that’s not fast enough.” The short syntax of these four sentences emphasizes his message that black rights are long overdue. Once again, he leaves no room for a counterargument against him as a result of his authoritative tone. Lastly, Malcolm X states that segregation is against the law, adding that “The SUpreme Court is on your side.” This solidifies his argument even further. Moreover, throughout the speech, Malcolm X uses the appeal of ethos to promote black nationalism and show that blacks must fight for their rights. Without using ethos, he may not have appeared as knowledgeable and informed, which would have tremend