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

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