The Audacity Of Hope Rhetorical Analysis

601 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The features of the declaration of independence

Carson Stapleton Mrs. Talarico English 2 Honors 6 December 2017 “The Audacity of Hope” Rhetorical Analysis Essay “…My father got a scholarship to study in a magical place; America… (Obama Paragraph 2).” This is a line, from former President Obama’s speech entitled “The Audacity of Hope,” this quote helps to establish the idea that Mr. Obama is a product of “The American Dream.” He develops this theme throughout the speech, it presents the idea; that anybody can “make it” if they are willing to put the work in.“The Audacity of Hope” was a breathtaking speech given at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, Obama stated his hopes and dreams for the United States here, and in the process he launched himself onto the national stage. …show more content…

Obama’s delivers his speech because he describes his family’s difficult past. He states the American dream without giving it a specific label, and he draws the audience in and appeals to them with nationalism and his use of pathos. Former President Obama lays down his beliefs in a more modernized American Dream, he explains what the American dream meant to his family, he then proceeds to explain what the American dream can mean for Americans today. He charms Americans using nationalism, he also describes his story and the ways in which it embodies the fantasy that America was for his parents. He then talks about what his parents hoped for America and their son, this is one of the many emotional moments throughout the speech. “They would give me an African name, Barack, or “blessed,” believing that in a tolerant America your name is no barrier to success (Obama Paragraph 3),” Obama says. This holds significance because it pulls on the heartstrings of all members of the audience, not stating facts about America, but the hopes that the audience knows what he says is true. He relates his story to the beliefs of the nation, citing the Declaration of Independence and declaring that this is what makes the United States exceptional. He pulls his viewers into his story by stating their common principles and capitalizing on the energy that this creates in the

Show More
Related

  • Brave New World Rhetorical Analysis

    425 Words  | 1 Pages

    The tone during the whole plot of in Brave New World changes when advancing throughout the plot, but it often contains a dark and satiric aspect. Since the novel was originally planned to be written as a satire, the tone is ironic and sarcastic. Huxley's sarcastic tone is most noticeable in the conversations between characters. For instance, when the director was educating the students about the past history, he states that "most facts about the past do sound incredible (Huxley 45)." Through the exaggeration of words in the statement of the director, Huxley's sarcastic tone obviously is portrayed. As a result of this, the satirical tone puts the mood to be carefree.

    Read More

  • Comparing Obama And Roosevelt's Inaugural Address

    779 Words  | 2 Pages

    The purpose of an “inaugural address” is to inform the people of his or her intentions as a leader. Two of the most prominent inaugural addresses throughout history are Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s and Barack Obama’s. Franklin Roosevelt’s inaugural address stands the test of time because it gave the American people hope that they may overcome the terrible Great Depression. Similarly, Barack Obama’s address is well known because it inspired millions that we will be lifted out of economic crisis, but it was also remembered as the first inaugural address from an African American president. The inauguration speeches of Franklin Roosevelt and Barack Obama use the rhetorical devices parallelism, allusions, and emotive language to convey their messages

    Read More

  • A Long Way Gone Rhetorical Analysis

    445 Words  | 1 Pages

    Throughout the course of this novel, Ishmael Beah keeps the readers on the edge of their seat by incorporating interchanging tones. At the beginning of the novel, the tone can be depicted as naïve, for Beah was unaware to what was actually occurring with the rebels. Eventually, the tone shifts to being very cynical and dark when he depicts the fighting he has endured both physically and mentally. However, the most game changing tone is towards the end of the novel in chapters nineteen and twenty. His tone can be understood as independent or prevailing. It can be portrayed as independent because Beah learns how to survive on his own and to take care of himself. At the same time, it is perceived as prevailing and uplifting because Beah was able to demonstrate that there is hope. Later in the novel, Beah travels to

    Read More

  • Into The Wild Rhetorical Analysis

    1626 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the book Into the Wild, Jon Krakauer wrote about Christopher McCandless, a nature lover in search for independence, in a mysterious and hopeful experience. Even though Krakauer tells us McCandless was going to die from the beginning, he still gave him a chance for survival. As a reader I wanted McCandless to survive. In Into the Wild, Krakauer gave McCandless a unique perspective. He was a smart and unique person that wanted to be completely free from society. Krakauer included comments from people that said McCandless was crazy, and his death was his own mistake. However, Krakauer is able to make him seem like a brave person. The connections between other hikers and himself helped in the explanation of McCandless’s rational actions. Krakauer is able to make McCandless look like a normal person, but unique from this generation. In order for Krakauer to make Christopher McCandless not look like a crazy person, but a special person, I will analyze the persuading style that Krakauer used in Into the Wild that made us believe McCandless was a regular young adult.

    Read More

  • The American Dream Martin Jischke

    845 Words  | 2 Pages

    Jischke is the perfect example of an ordinary American who surpassed his limited boundaries. He proves that an American can come from a humble background and still move up in the success ladder. Martin C. Jischke is firm believer that the American Dream lies in the hands of our future graduates (75). After all, he was the president of Purdue University for almost eight years; as he gives the commencement speech he says the American Dream entails more than financial success, and more than popularity, that it is a matter of opportunity (Jischke 75). The power to gain knowledge freely, learn from past mistakes, and achieve the previously unachievable, is what the American dream has to offer (Jischke 76).

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of President Obama's Inauguration Speeches

    601 Words  | 2 Pages

    A connection with the audience is imperative for politicians and presidents. Obama’s powerful arguments and speeches during his long journey eventually leads him to the White House. Many people anticipate President Obama's first Inauguration speech; in fact, from a historical context, many Americans never expect to hear such a speech. Being the first black president, Obama establishes popularity with the American people and attracts all types of audiences in his first inauguration speech by addressing the nation as “ a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and non believers ” (Inaugural 2). Mentioning race is a strong way of forming a connection with the audience because instead of classifying the

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of President Obama's State Of Address

    901 Words  | 2 Pages

    As the President was ending his speech, he gives recognition to those American that are often overlooked. Due to, not having a political title or a high social class position. Throughout these recognitions, the president said “I see it”, which allows viewers to feel a sense of appreciation. By him addressing all walks of life, Americans were able to identify with the various situations and feel worthy and important. For example, Obama said “I see it in the American who served his time, and made mistakes as a child, but now is dreaming of starting over and I see it in the business owner who gives him that second chance.” This was impactful because there are millions of Americans that can relate to this story. So when they hear the president recognizing them despite one’s shortcomings is heartwarming. Furthermore, this emotional appeal leaves viewers with a good feeling about Obama, because they feel he understands them and has their best interest at heart. Therefore, Obama succeeded at being the voice of the people and touching their heart with his empathy and positive

    Read More

  • The Audacity of Hope: A Rhetorical Analysis

    2124 Words  | 5 Pages

    Obama, Barack. The Audacity of Hope: Thought on Reclaiming the American Dream. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2006. Print.

    Read More

  • President Obama’s Inaugural Speech: Rhetorical Analysis

    903 Words  | 2 Pages

    Finally, President Obama calls for action. He reminds us, through anaphora, that “our journey is not complete” until we are all equal and more opportunistic, per-se. Obama tells us that that is our task, alluding to the Declaration of Independence, to “make these words, rights, these values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness real for every American” is a task that we will all go through together as one to achieve for all. Concluding his speech, the president reminds us that we are the hope; we ARE the change.

    Read More

  • Pathos, Logos, Ethos And Logos In Barack Obama's Speech

    544 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the beginning of the speech Barack Obama reflects back to where his parents and grandparents came from and what they did as their occupation. Obama shows pathos, logos and ethos many times throughout his 2004 keynote speech. He also spoke on why his mother and father gave him the name that they gave him. By doing so, Barack Obama showed pathos throughout the speech and got his audience to know him a bit before pursuing the Democratic Party to vote for John Kerry. He appeals to his audience by mentioning that his parents are both passed away, and from the look of things that did not stop him from standing where he was that day with pride and sadness:

    Read More

  • Barack Obama: A More Perfect Union

    1102 Words  | 3 Pages

    Obama emotionally influences the nation to move forward from the issues of race that is hindering America. Without dwelling on his family tree, Obama reminds us that his father was black and his mother white, that he came from Kenya, but she came from Kansas: “I am married to a black American who carries within her the blood of slave and slave owners — an inheritance we pass on to our two precious daughters. I have brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, uncles, and cousins, of every race and every hue, scattered across three continents, and for as long as I live, I will never forget that in no other country on Earth is my story even possible.

    Read More

  • A Modest Proposal - Rhetorical Analysis Essay

    737 Words  | 2 Pages

    In 1729, Jonathan Swift published a pamphlet called “A Modest Proposal”. It is a satirical piece that described a radical and humorous proposal to a very serious problem. The problem Swift was attacking was the poverty and state of destitution that Ireland was in at the time. Swift wanted to bring attention to the seriousness of the problem and does so by satirically proposing to eat the babies of poor families in order to rid Ireland of poverty. Clearly, this proposal is not to be taken seriously, but merely to prompt others to work to better the state of the nation. Swift hoped to reach not only the people of Ireland who he was calling to action, but the British, who were oppressing the poor. He writes with contempt for those who are oppressing the Irish and also dissatisfaction with the people in Ireland themselves to be oppressed.

    Read More

  • Dreams from My Father, by Barack Obama

    1182 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the autobiography, Obama entails on the beginning journey of his life from early childhood to young adulthood. The novel begins with him finding out from his aunt that his father has passed away in Nairobi. Obama’s father left him and his mother when he was only 2 years old. Obama then talks about the family he grew up with, his mother and grandparents, and the racism they dealt with at a time when few accepted interracial relations and even more so marriages. He recalls being made fun of as a young child when other kids would make monkey noises when it was discovered his father was from Kenya. He then moves to Indonesia when his mother remarries, but then at 10 years old moves back to Hawaii where he spent his early childhood. It was with his grandparents that he developed much of his character and learned how strongly education was emphasized in his family. Obama also talks about how fascinated he was with by his father. As he grows a bit older into adolescence, Obama learns more about race relations and reads the book Heart of Darkness. This book helps him to see how white people look at black people, as a white man wrote the book talking about black people. He also delves into his marijuana use, which he used to help him during this confusing and rough period in his life. Obama’s story then ...

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The Audacity Of Hope

    889 Words  | 2 Pages

    On July 27, 2004, Barack Obama made arguably his most important speech, “The Audacity of Hope”, at the Democratic National Convention Keynote Address. These conventions are for political parties to announce a winner for nomination. All the way through his piece, Obama focuses on connecting Americans and himself to the audience. In fact, at the time, Barack Obama was a US Senate candidate for the United States president, and in making this speech, was offered a window for raising his popularity. Throughout “The Audacity of Hope” speech, Barack Obama implements three main devices to raise his political popularity: repetition, abstract language, and structure.

    Read More

  • A Comparison of I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King and Victory Speech by Barack Obama

    1397 Words  | 3 Pages

    To begin with, King's speech makes reference to the American dream as the extended metaphor of a "cheque with insufficient funds", which refers to the "promise of (...) Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" the government has made but not kept to every United States citizen. It is important to mention that the factors of the promise are also the elements of "a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.", therefore, it is evident that King's speech was based on it, thus, the tittle of the discourse: "I Have A Dream." Also, The purpose of the cheque metaphor is for people to understand the promise of the American dream in terms that the whole public can understand, as well empathize with the horrible situation of lack of respect towards the african-american back then. Furthermore, in Obama's speech, he makes a reference to "hope for a better day","individual liberty", the restoration of "prosperity", the promotion of "the cause of peace", and equality amongst the citizens of the United States, the past elements are part of the concept of the American dream. To back up the past idea, at the end of the discourse, Obama mentions that he wants to "reclaim the American dream."

    Read More

More about The Audacity Of Hope Rhetorical Analysis

Open Document