Barack Obama is a well-known political figure, and former president of the United States. He is a good man, who delivered an eulogy at the funeral of Senator Ted Kennedy, where he praised Kennedy as a good man, and memorialized his impact over the world. Obama uses the rhetorical strategy of Anecdote, Allusion, and Metaphor to achieve his purpose of praising and memorializing Kennedy. A key rhetorical strategy used in Obama’s speech is an anecdote, which is used to praise Ted Kennedy. This use of an anecdote can be seen when Obama mentions, “Ted Kennedy was the baby of the family who became its patriarch; the restless dreamer who became its rock. He was the sunny, joyful child, who bore the brunt of his brothers’ teasing, but quickly learned …show more content…
This quotation is a keen example of an anecdote, because Obama tells the short, powerful story of how Kennedy was a powerful, good man, who lived a good, fulfilling life. This anecdote allows for the listener to feel inspired by the life that Kennedy lived, while also thankful for the story of Kennedy's life. The use of the anecdote within the eulogy assists Obama’s goal of praising and memorializing Kennedy, as this strategy gives the audience some background on the good, and happy life that Kennedy lived, and the people he changed around him. Moreover, a key rhetorical strategy used in Obama’s speech is Allusion, which is used to praise and memorialize Ted Kennedy. This use of an anecdote can be seen when Obama exclaims, “Indeed, Ted was the ‘Happy Warrior’ that the poet William Wordsworth spoke of when he wrote: As tempted more; more able to endure, As more exposed to suffering and distress; Thence, also, more alive to tenderness” (Obama). The use of allusion in Obama’s speech is seen as he references the poem by William …show more content…
The correlation between Kennedy and the warrior that Obama makes assists his goal in memorializing Kennedy as a good man, because the poem expresses this warrior, as a man who has gone through much, but is a tender spirited person. In addition, a key rhetorical strategy used in Obama’s speech is Metaphor, which is used to praise and memorialize Ted Kennedy. This use of metaphor can be seen when Obama concludes, “Ted Kennedy’s life’s work was not to champion those with wealth or power or special connections. It was to give a voice to those who were not heard; to add a rung to the ladder of opportunity; to make the dream of our founding” (Obama). The use of a metaphor within the eulogy for Kennedy is seen where it portrays the addition of ‘rungs to the ladder of opportunity’ and the ‘dream of founding’. The use of this metaphor allows for Obama’s goal of praising and memorializing Kennedy, because the metaphor expresses that Kennedy was able to add ‘rungs to the ladder of opportunity,’ meaning that he was able to help the lower class of America by providing them more opportunities in
Forty-fourth president Barack Obama on August 29, 2009 presents a eulogy for Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy a few days after his passing. Obama’s purpose is to pay tribute to Ted and all of the good he has done. While employing pathos, altruism, and some anger, he adopts a respectful tone in order to look back with the Kennedy family and treasure him one more time.
He used a very selective vocabulary, purposely using emotionally charged words such as: “wholly unjustifiable and irresponsible defiance” (lines 4-5), “ruthless disregard” (line 82), and “restraint and sacrifice” (lines 14-15). By using words with strong connotation, he powers the emotions of his audience once again directing support for himself and appearing as the calm figurehead amongst the emotional chaos. He also makes his speech very personal by mentioning individual American families, literally using the phrase “every American family” (line 25). He appeals to the strong sense of patriotism in the American public by mentioning the four servicemen who died in Vietnam. Despite the fact that they are almost completely unrelated to the rise in steel prices and, if they were alive, would be unaffected by the rise in price, either. And yet, Kennedy mentions the servicemen to make the situation appear that much more dire. By mentioning the tragic deaths of these men, Kennedy aims to trigger a strong emotional response in his audience that would turn into support for
After reviewing this week’s episodes of serial, and given our topic, I found that the Rhetorical Appeals are directly linked to the court cases. These Rhetorical Appeals (Ethos, Pathos, and Logos), are used throughout both cases. From Jay’s case, it’s clear that Pathos and Ethos are two main elements supporting his defense. However in Adnan’s case, Logos was the prevalent appeal when defending his innocence.
“Necessary Edges: Arts, Empathy, and Education” is an article written by world famous cellist, Yo-Yo Ma. In this article, Yo-Yo Ma identifies and discusses the role of arts in the world, stressing the point that these arts are a necessary element in the education system. Ma believes that the skills learned from these arts, are in fact, “essential” to the kind of balanced thinking that is needed in today’s world. Throughout this article, Yo-Yo Ma brilliantly portrays his thoughts, and gains the support of his audience through the use of ethos, logos, and pathos, while also maintaining a clear and concise stance.
This speech proves that Kennedy had a way with words and knew the best way to get a message across. He clearly expressed his feelings but did so without letting them take over. He didn’t scream or shout, but showed he could handle his anger while still letting it shine through. Kennedy used the three appeals, strong diction and syntax, and a well-organized structure of his ideas to convey his purpose; Raise anger in Americans and side with them, while making the steel companies feel guilty for their
Kennedy’s brilliant use of pathos, parallelism, antithesis, and varied syntax successfully conveys his ambitions and hopes for America, as it makes Kennedy’s speech a very memorable one in history.
In conclusion, this speech was structured beautifully. Its use of figurative and expressive language makes it an unforgettable speech. Kennedy does a great job of using pathos, ethos, and logos to reiterate his commitment to the American public as well as discuss expected changes. Given the state of the world at the time of his inauguration, the decision to rely so heavily on pathos and ethos was a wise one which got the job done. His use of the rhetoric triangle effectively conveys Kennedy’s plan for America to not only her citizens, but to the world.
Since the main reason of his sermon is to inspire rather than educate, Kennedy rarely uses any logical pleads. Yet, Kennedy adequately uses passionate dialect to make the people sense their involvement in what all the President says. Kennedy composes the assignment to bring back tranquility and good-wealth as not only his aim, but of the public as well. With famed verses like, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,” Kennedy makes the spectators feel inclined to make an impact in the world they live. Apart from infusing a sense of obligation in the crowd, Kennedy’s greatest element in his speech was the aptitude to arouse a feeling of esteem in the audience. Kennedy constantly uses phrases about freedom and sovereignty to remind the people they still are. “The heirs of that first revolution.” This dialect portrays America as a powerful and patriarch republic that possesses greater philanthropy of all the other nations around the world. Even though much of the address is fervent in tone, Kennedy devotes a large section of his topic to outline his ethos to all inhabitants of the world. JFK introduced the use of ethos at the inception of his address. Kennedy was very young when he came into office, but he was still obliged to act at the same status as former presidents. Attentive to this condition, Kennedy
Kennedy uses refrences from past events in history to emphasize his point of taking a risk and trying something new, and inspiring his audience. An event from 1630 is used in JFK’s speech as an allusion to make the reader feel a sense of , “William Bradford, speaking in 1630 of the founding of the Plymouth Bay Colony, said that all great and honorable actions are accompanied with great difficulties, and both must be enterprised and overcome with answerable courage” (Kennedy 2). He is proving that after all the hard work, it is succesful and worth it. William Bradford created a colony by the devotion and hard work. Kennedy is relating himself and the country to Bradford, showing the audience that it is possible. Using an example from history makes the audience more committed to landing on the moon when they think the probability for success is high. It gives off the encouraging thought of, “if they did it, we can do it”, which is exactly what JFK was trying to succeed. Kennedy also uses an allusion to exaggerate to sudden change in tecchnology and show how advanced this country...
President John F. Kennedy brings about a new way of thinking in his inaugural speech. He brings in a sense of selflessness and relentlessness for the country. He uses literary devices such as, antithesis, repetition, and rhetorical questions to bring about that sense in the audience. He begins by putting himself to the people and allowing the audience to feel welcomed. The use of literary devices in his speech allows the audience to recognize his goal, which is moving forward and bringing change to the country.
In the eulogy that President John F. Kennedy gave for the lately departed poet, Robert Frost, only three out of the four common elements that Kunkel and Dennis found in eulogies can be found in this specific eulogy. The elements I found in this eulogy are positive reappraisal, praise, and problem-focused coping while self-disclosure of emotion, credibility, affirmation of vivid past relationships, and continuation of interactive bonds could not be found. John Kennedy imminently starts off with a positive reappraisal: “Robert Frost was one of the granite figures of our time in America. He was supremely two things—an artist and an American,” (lines 3-4). Kennedy is telling the thousands listening that Robert Frost not only had a good life but
From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial more than two score years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King electrified America with his momentous "I Have a Dream" speech. Aimed at the entire nation, King’s main purpose in this speech was to convince his audience to demand racial justice towards the mistreated African Americans and to stand up together for the rights afforded to all under the Constitution. To further convey this purpose more effectively, King cleverly makes use of the rhetorical devices — ethos, pathos and logos — using figurative language such as metaphors and repetition as well as various other techniques e.g. organization, parallel construction and choice of title.
Rhetoric is the art of effective speaking or writing, and persuasion. Most people use rhetoric numerous of times in their everyday life without their concern or knowing.
While MLK uses metaphors well in “I Have a Dream”, people may think JFK uses them better in his speech. In “Inaugural Address” by JFK, metaphors are used in a persuasive manner that may influence a reader to think he uses them with a higher quality. Furthermore, Kennedy uses metaphors to turn ideas into physical pictures. For example, “...struggling to break the bonds of mass misery...” (Kennedy 1).
Barack Obama’s eulogy of Nelson Mandela is a beautiful, passionate speech which uses a range of different techniques: rhetorical, non-verbal, and language styles – to be able to connect and communicate his messaged effectively with his audience. Obama’s ability to combine his strong voice and tone control along with his powerful words create a sense of emotion which cannot be underestimated. Obama understands the means needed to influence others and understands how to execute presentations to benefit his professional and political credibility. It’s unfortunate surrounding the circumstances in which Barack Obama had to present this speech, but it’s a speech that will be known as one of the most powerful, moving, inspiring and passionate tribute to someone who was beloved by millions, and will be missed.