Rhetorical Devices In Obama's First Inaugural Speech

President Barack Obama, the president of the United States for the past seven years, in his first inaugural address (January 20, 2009) suggests Americans should work together to rebuild lives that were lost or have fallen apart throughout the nation. Obama develops his suggestion through the use of repetition, short sentences in the midst of long ones, and having a believable character.
In order to show the audience what they are capable of accomplishing, Obama uses repetition. In paragraphs 5-7 of his speech, Obama starts off by repeating the phrase, “Together, we…) followed by a statement of how both past and present Americans have bettered themselves and others. This phrase might have been repeated because today’s Americans are able to see the accomplishments made in the distant and not so distant past. The frequent repetition of “Together, we…” can also be a way to say Americans as a whole have done it, regardless if the people were physically there or not, because the nation should be united as one. By using repetition, Obama was able to show what ?Americans are capable of in order to push today’s Americans to rebuild lives in

their day.
Following his use of repetition, Obama uses the strategy of using short sentences framed by long ones. In his speech, Obama gives short, concise sentences such as “ A decade of war is now ending. An economic recovery has begun” (Obama 10) in order to stress the importance of what he has to say. Obama could have also placed those sentences where he did because he wanted to instill hope into not only the less fortunate Americans, but every American who has struggled at any time in their life. Furthermore, this may have been an advantage to Obama because since he was able to put hope into the hearts of Americans, they will want to do the same to others and, in turn, help them rebuild their lives.
To close his speech, Obama develops a believable character.

Although he holds the role of a believable person throughout his speech, the role is most developed when he say, “Our brave men and women in uniform… the knowledge of their sacrifice will keep us forever vigilant…” (Obama 17). Obama shows he shares the same values as the audience while at the same time showing perseverance and ambition because it can be inferred that he is stating Americans never give up. At the same time, Obama can be painting a picture in the minds of the audience which can make them think he understand the difficult sacrifice of those in the military or at war, and wants to help those recovering. Because the development of a believable character, Obama is able to show he cares, and wants others to care as well so they will also want to help those in

need.
Obama suggests Americans should work together to rebuild each other’s lives, supporting himself through the use of repetition, concise sentences, and building a believable character for himself. He shows he cares and wants to help others and understands what they are going through and has a deep desire to help and care for those who have gone through many trials and hardships. Obama shows the want he has to help rebuild the lives of unfortunate American’s, and wants others to do the same.