Rhetorical Choices in Political Speeches

1906 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Essay on the study of influence

Every four years during any US Presidential election overzealous patriotism hits an all time high, and it truly shows with the citizen turnout at the newly elected President’s inaugural ceremony. In the months leading up to election day, Presidential candidates attempt to persuade voters to cast ballots in their favor through different forms of advertising which contains strategic rhetoric and political language. Political language otherwise known as “political propaganda”, is designed to influence masses of people within a nation, and even across the globe. As Harry S. Truman stated during the National Conference on Family Life on May 6th, 1948: “the principal power that the President has is to bring people in and try to persuade them to do what they ought to do without persuasion”(Truman,Worksheet). The power that Truman spoke of is undeniable during any President’s inaugural address, which highlights the beginning of their term as the newly elected President, while addressing their plans for the people of the United States during the next four years. These addresses contain propaganda techniques that most listeners wouldn’t recognize as propaganda, including: glittering generalities, transfer, plain folks, card stacking, bandwagon, and testimonials.

One of the most memorable inaugural speeches in American history was delivered by President John F. Kennedy on January 20th, 1961. Throughout his speech Kennedy uses the “plain folks” technique, with the use of words like,“we”,”our”, and “us”, to convince his audience that he was simply an ordinary man of the people. More specifically he addressed the issues facing Americans regarding tensions between the United States and The Soviet Union, and his hopes of managing internationa...

... middle of paper ...

...ducts if consumers wouldn’t fund companies.

Lutz appears to be the more credible source due to his field of work, but his argument tells consumers to dissect every word used in an ad claim, because the ad may be using a form of manipulation. Advertisers main goal is to sell a product by any means necessary, but the verbal language used isn’t placing a magician like spell on anyone forcing them to buy a product simply with the use of weasel words. Realistically speaking consumers won’t always have the time to critically analyze every item they purchase. O’Neill’s argument is stronger than Lutz because consumers ultimately create and shape the world of advertising, and at the scale certain products are being advertised. Advertising is a form of persuasion not manipulation, unless individuals are completely mindless and cannot form a single thought for themselves.

Show More
Related

  • Rhetorical Devices In Fdr's Inaugural Speech

    685 Words  | 2 Pages

    This paper is an analysis of the inaugural address of the former president Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR). We will focus on the main historical events that were happening, and how he addressed those issues in his speech. In his speech he used appeals to grow closer to the crowd he was speaking too. We will state the quotes he used and announce what kind of appeal that it is from. FDR uses words and phrases to pull the crowd in and I will discuss the effects of those words and what they had on the crowd. Finally we will talk about the overall quality and effectiveness of the speech and how it was such a great speech used.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Strategies in John F. Kennedy Inaugural Address

    910 Words  | 2 Pages

    Evident throughout his entire address, Kennedy employs a cogent pathos appeal to keep his audience intrigued. This can be demonstrated when Kennedy initially proclaims: “Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans…” who he urges to be “unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of…human rights to which this nation has always been committed…” (Kennedy). Kennedy’s usage of “we” rather than “I” gives the audience a sense that they exist as part of something big, perhaps a family, while portraying Kennedy as a people’s president who desires to be a “person in the crowd.” Throughout his address, Kennedy establishes pathos mainly by appealing to American patriotism, a significant concept during the Cold War period in which Americans needed a jingoistic spirit to succeed. By reminding his audience of their forefathers and instigating parallels between “the first revolution” and the present generation, “born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage,” the president grasps the attention of the audience. He even stresses the value of liberty and this generation’s dedication to the survival of that value to rou...

    Read More

  • The Rhetorical Analysis Of Kennedy And Clinton's Speech

    1129 Words  | 3 Pages

    Though Kennedy and Clinton addressed their audiences nearly thirty-two years apart, each rhetor faced a common rhetorical barrier – an American populace too heavily focused on the personalities within each respective presidential election rather than the true issues confronting the United States. To overcome that barrier, both Kennedy and Clinton utilize definitional strategies – in the form of association – as well as language strategies –specifically, historical allusions. Whether or not the speeches directly correlate with both candidates winning their presidential elections does not concern the examination; this paper observes how exactly the rhetorical devices used served to dissolve the barriers between the rhetor and the intended audience.

    Read More

  • An Analysis of the Rhetorical Elements of Political Campaign Advertisements

    1054 Words  | 3 Pages

    It is very common among the United States’ political sphere to rely heavily on T.V. commercials during election season; this is after all the most effective way to spread a message to millions of voters in order to gain their support. The presidential election of 2008 was not the exception; candidates and interest groups spent 2.6 billion dollars on advertising that year from which 2 billion were used exclusively for broadcast television (Seelye 2008.) Although the effectiveness of these advertisements is relatively small compared to the money spent on them (Liasson 2012), it is important for American voters to think critically about the information and arguments presented by these ads. An analysis of the rhetoric in four of the political campaign commercials of the 2008 presidential election reveals the different informal fallacies utilized to gain support for one of the candidates or misguide the public about the opposing candidate.

    Read More

  • Chad M. Nelson Rhetorical Strategies

    500 Words  | 1 Pages

    In this case study, Researcher Chad M. Nelson weighs in on the closing of Mexican American studies that occurred in Tuscon Arizona in 2012. Nelson uses a collection of Chicano literature published by Santino J. Rivera that includes a series of works from different authors that critique the decision to close the MAS program. Nelson goes deep into these texts to demonstrate how the texts employ certain rhetorical strategies to combat white privilege. Nelson refers to these strategies as In Lak’ech and mestiza rhetorics. The mestiza strategy illustrates the conflict between Mexican, American, and Indigenous cultural values and identities and an Anglo-American dominated world. The Lak’ech strategy is based on a deep principle of love and respect for humankind in the same matter as one feels for their own self. Nelson shows that both of these rhetorics are utilized by the texts.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Jfk Inaugural Address

    1261 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the opening of his speech, Kennedy expressed that his presidential victory is a “celebration of freedom” with it – “symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning – signifying renewal, as well as change.” Throughout his address, Kennedy showed emotion in several lines. In these lines, he showed emotion when asking the world to spread freedom, justice, and to get rid of all the evils in the world. Also in his address, Kennedy asks Americans to stand up to the “long twilight struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war.” As a promoter of world peace, President Kennedy clearly stated that the Soviet Union and United States were wasting time and money. Following his swearing in, he used allusion in his speech as he stated, “For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.” Kennedy implies to the country`s independence as an effort to create a great reputation for himself. He does this by alluding to a large moment of when America gained independence. The quote by Kennedy, “In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility--I welcome it”, President Kennedy was displaying his devotion to stop the war. He wishes to start a new beginning of

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of John F. Kennedy's Cold War

    1424 Words  | 3 Pages

    John F. Kennedy’s central argument in his inaugural speech is that America needs to act. During this time the Cold War was occurring, causing both America and the Soviet Union to compete in an arms race to see who could make the most nuclear weapons. Kennedy states that America needs to fight for freedom while also negotiating peace with communist countries, especially the Soviet Union. Kennedy does not want a nuclear war to occur so he wants peace before another world war happens. Kennedy also talks about helping the poor people in other countries. In the end Kennedy urges American citizens to help out in any way they can. Even though Kennedy does use pathos and ethos more than logos, it is the combination of all three that make his argument

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of John Kennedy's Inaugural Address

    949 Words  | 2 Pages

    As emblematic representatives of their country, U.S. Presidents exercise their beliefs and concepts regularly through the use of eloquence. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was elected president of the United States in 1960. Kennedy became president during times of great danger and fear for the nation of America, and others around the globe. With Communism being further more popular, and large weapon’s being frequently produced all around the world, the people of America needed a new premier commander. As the youngest elected official to ever govern the White House, Kennedy wanted to show his genuineness as a ruler, and verify that his presidency would lead to great hope and future. The president’s inaugural address allows the president to lay out his

    Read More

  • John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address

    1035 Words  | 3 Pages

    John F Kennedy states, “We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans, born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage, and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.” The president gave his speech at a time when the American people were growing increasingly fearful of a long, drawn out Cold War. Yet, instead of reassuring his audience by minimizing the dangers, Kennedy warned them of a long struggle, emphasizing differences between the United States and its enemies, and showed the specific responsibilities and obligations of the United States and its citizens, ...

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Devices In Their Finest Hour Speech

    931 Words  | 2 Pages

    Following the collapse of France during World War II, the conditions the Allied powers faced became bleaker by the day. The United Kingdom was standing alone in the face of Germany, and under Hitler’s reign, the German “blitzkrieg” or “lightning war,” a tactic involving bombardment, tanks, and ground troops in quick offense proved too much for many countries. Winston Churchill would be the one to reignite hope in the hearts of the British people, delivering his “Their Finest Hour” speech on the 18th of June, 1940. Churchill utilized persuasive rhetoric whilst appealing to the people's logic and emotions, to raise morale and spirit in the United Kingdom to fight.

    Read More

  • A Rhetorical Analysis Of Speech By John Mccain

    1140 Words  | 3 Pages

    McCain starts off his speech by using self-disclosure and describing his time as a young man as a navy liaison, and eventually senator, on the senate and working alongside former vice president Joe Biden. “Joe was already a senator, and I was the navy’s liaison to the Senate. My duties included escorting Senate delegations on overseas trips, and in that capacity, I supervised the disposition of the delegation’s luggage, which could require – now and again – when no one of lower rank was available for the job – that I carry someone worthy’s bag” (McCain 2017). Self-Disclosure is the the speaker telling the audience of their personal experiences and tells the audience why they have the personal convictions that they have. (Hamilton 2017)

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Politics And The English Language

    852 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the essay “Politics and the English Language,” George Orwell conveys that the modern writing style is in dire need of Improvement. Orwell directly states that “. . . the English language is declining . . .” as his thesis (1).

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Devices In Jfk Inaugural Address

    656 Words  | 2 Pages

    President John F. Kennedy gave his inaugural address to the American public on January 20, 1961. President Kennedy’s inaugural speech is designed to deliver a message of hope and perseverance against foreign threats, specifically the communist Soviet Union, against whom the United States was involved in the Cold War. In his speech, President Kennedy takes the global stage, capitalizing on the emergence of mass media and the ability to reach people on a worldwide scale to deliver a message meant to be heard both home and abroad. Kennedy’s inaugural address uses several different rhetorical devices—i.e., repetition, contrast/antithesis, and metaphorical imagery designed to produce pathos in the audience—to

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis of JFK's Inauguration Speech

    919 Words  | 2 Pages

    John Fitzgerald Kennedy delivered one of the most important American speeches after being sworn in as president on January 20, 1961. His inauguration speech was so influential that it seized the nation’s attention, and quotes from it are still clearly remembered by people today. It is considered one of the best speeches ever written and ever delivered. It presents a strong appeal to pathos, ethos, and logos and accomplishes what any speaker strives for – it speaks straight to the heart of the audience and inspires people.

    Read More

  • Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You

    1464 Words  | 3 Pages

    John Fitzgerald Kennedy was sworn in as the 35th President of the United States of America at noon on January 20th, 1961. He then delivered his inaugural speech in The National Center for Public Policy Research's Archive of Historical Documents. Kennedy’s speech, one that Thurston Clarke referred to as “...the speech that changed America.” may quite possibly have done just that. Kennedy’s speech sought to convey many messages to the American people. It, at the time, speaks of a world which is “very different now” and notes the importance and prevalence of change in American society and the rest of the world. The most important theme taken from Kennedy’s speech perhaps though is its call to arms of Americans to become active citizens and to fight not only the wrongs and injustices to freedom taking place throughout the world but also to advance the rights and freedoms experienced within the United States by turning inward and actively pursuing change for the betterment of American society.

    Read More

More about Rhetorical Choices in Political Speeches

Open Document