This paper examines various texts that represent the American Voice. The anchor text, "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" by Patrick Henry, is compared with other famous texts throughout history. Two texts were then chosen for analysis, and from the three, the best representation of the American Voice was argued. Rhetorical devices, message, and rhetorical appeals such as Ethos, Pathos, and Logos were considered. The texts presented are The Keynote Address to the 2004 Democratic National Convention by Barack Obama and The Declaration of Conscience by Margaret Chase Smith. "The American Voice" is a term that is explained in many ways, such as culture, heritage, or belief. There really isn't an exact answer to what it means to be "American". For my research, I read "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" and two other articles. In my opinion, the "American Voice" is the voice that everyone has, whether they are American or not. It is a voice that is heard from everyone, whether it is right or wrong. I believe that the best representation of the "American Voice" is Barack Obama's speech because it talks about his past, how things have changed, and how he went from nothing to becoming a Senator.
Another powerful speaker was Barack Obama. In his speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2004, he spoke about what a true American is, and shared his personal story of hard work and perseverance. His message was directed towards everyone attending the convention, as well as those watching it. Obama aimed to demonstrate that regardless of one's past or race, anyone can achieve success if they put in the effort. His speech was highly persuasive, well-worded, and inspiring, earning him numerous sponsors and supporters. Obama's strong sentence structure effectively conveyed his message, and his personal story served as a powerful example of his belief that anyone can achieve their goals if they work hard enough.
Thomas Paine’s objective in “The American Crisis” is to persuade Americans to untie and take action in ridding America of British control; his writings effectiveness is due primarily to his employment of religious diction, vivid imagery, a sentimental anecdote, an urgent tone, as well as his consistent exploitation of his audiences’ emotions.
In March of 1775, the words of Patrick Henry rang in the ears of his fellow Virginians. He stood in St John’s Church, located in Richmond, made an audacious public speech containing his opinions in relation to the colony’s next step of action in the war. This was not the first time that Henry stood in front of an audience to present a speech. Henry was known for speaking messages that people did not forget. Prior to this speech, Patrick Henry had made his name known by writing the ‘Virginia Resolutions’ against the despised Stamp Act. In the view point of this specific speech however, Henry spoke his opinion of the war starting and what he believed as truth. Virginia was the largest American Colony, with the House of Burgesses that was the longest-serving legislature that Virginia proudly claimed. Patrick Henry was also previously known for his incredible words and messages he had shared in the past. This speech went over the top compared to former speeches. As a known Christian man, Henry referenced an array of Biblical subjects throughout his speech “Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death”, in which his audience could take time to deeply digest. During this era, most Americans were Christians, making it easy for Henry to never quotes scripture directly, but imply it for his audience to grasp.
...etorical analysis teaches that the practice of rhetoric in pathos is not always strong enough to stand alone or solely support an argument. Many times pathos is contingent on emotions that are not supported by anything but the speaker alone. Therefore, like President Johnson’s speech, it is important to stick to a genre since it offers enough structure to validate the pathos illustrated. The deliberative genre provides a speech that evokes a serious setting where the speaker can be taken seriously and with a sense of urgency. The combination of pathos and genre can be a model for a successful pair of rhetorical features explained through my rhetorical analysis of Lyndon B. Johnson’s 1963 acceptance speech. In this speech he was able to address the devastating loss and mourning of JFK, while all the same maintaining an outlook of perseverance of the American people.
The eighteenth century, a time of turmoil and chaos in the colonies, brought many opinionated writers to the forefront in support or refutation of the coming American Revolution. This highly controversial war that would ultimately separate the future United States of America from Great Britain became the center of debate. Two writers, both of whom supported the Revolution, now stand to fully illuminate one side of the debate. Thomas Paine, a radical propagandist, wrote many pieces during this time including “The Crisis Number 1” (1776). Through writing, he appealed to the “common man” in order to convince them to gather their arms and fight for their freedom. In this document, he utilizes many of the same rhetorical skills and propaganda techniques as Patrick Henry, a convincing orator, did in his famous speech delivered to the state’s delegates in 1775. Among these techniques are transfer, abstract language, and pathos. In both works, these were used to call the audiences to war. These influential pieces both contained a call to action which, through the use of strong and decisive language, aided the beginning of the American Revolution.
War is the science of destruction or the purpose of peace. Hundreds of wars took place in history including World Wars, Revolutionary wars, Civil wars, and Religious wars. The outcomes of these battles varied widely, ranging from victorious wins to disastrous defeats. However, soldiers and major historical figures have different perspectives on fighting, both unfavorable and positive. Two of these men include Patrick Henry and Chief Joseph of the Nez Pierce Indians. Patrick Henry delivered a speech to the Virginia Convention in the prelude of the Revolutionary War and ended with the immortal words, “Give me liberty or give me death!” On the other hand, Chief Joseph recited a speech upon his surrender to the US Army.
... format allows his and Masquerier’s rhetoric to have an impact to the audience. The styles of both documents are designed for an emotional response meant to impress with unusual word choice, and careful composition. The philosophical statement allows both narrators to deliver their fundamental beliefs, utilizing ethos, and appealing to the audience. By using rhetoric strategies Jefferson and Masquerier were allowed to implement ethos, pathos, and logos to sway the readers. Masquerier concepts of social reform based on the principals of equality with rhetoric. Moreover, being an advocate for the workingman allowed Masquerier to obtain the attention of many during the industrial age. This allowed him to expand on the concepts of rich oppressing the poor. However, none of this would have been possible without Jefferson’s format of his The Declaration of Independence.
He makes sure his audience connects with him directly by making them feel at his level, and at hiss. This way he connects to the audience, and in exchange, helps his statement of unity. Using various examples of parallelism, anaphora and refrain, Obama brands the theme of equality and togetherness in our country throughout the speech, vital to gaining the respect of his audience. Obama recalls the ‘enduring strength of the constitution’ by delving into the past alluding to America’s allegiance to the Declaration of Independence by quoting “we hold these truths. that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”.
Defining the American character is quite difficult because American identity is vaguely founded on shared values and ideologies, more so than a particular creed, race, or culture. In order to describe the American character, we will consider the dominate and distinctive qualities of Americans as interpreted by J. Hector St. Jon De Crèvecoeur and Thomas Paine. First, we will examine how Crèvecoeur illustrates Americans as industrious, prideful, and political in “Letters from an American Farmer.” Then, we will analyze from Thomas Paine's “Common Sense” how he depicts the prevalent qualities of Americans to be driven by justice, liberty, emotions, and individualism. Also, because both authors consider the American character and culture different
I come here before you, my friends, my family, and my comrades to emphasize that we shall fight, we shall defend, we shall win, and we shall prevail! As the ships of our mother country, Great Britain ascend upon us, we will not cower behind closed doors. For the past ten years they have already caused us much harm and it is time for us to finally say enough. Believe me for I would much rather hang than say a lie, Great Britain is no longer a friend of ours. March 23, I heard an intellectual man expatiate a profound speech that has moved me to stand before you today. Patrick Henry, a man of great capacity, stood before the convention of Virginia and passionately expressed why we should take action. It is with that powerful speech that I most agree with. I will and shall unite with Henry as times like these require all of us to do so. In order to obtain our freedom, we must fight.
Patrick henry proposed many problems and with those problems he suggested very critical and meaningful solutions. Solutions that would help America get freedom and get what they deserve. Whatever Henry explains in his speech had great explanations. He did it with full determination and commitment he got his point across. He did not care what people would think and expressed is opinion freely. Henry put the freedom of our country first .When Patrick Henry mentions the virginia convention, he expresses his opinion with no fear. He speaks his opinion and tries to convey his thought on the British to the people. In his speech he addresses what could possible be in danger for our country.
Both Thoreau and Emerson argue that asserting one’s opinions is crucial to attaining a better society. Emerson decries the danger of societal conformity and challenges the reader to “speak what you think now in hard words” in order to remedy it (Emerson 367). Likewise, Thoreau speculates that if “every man make known what kind of government would command his respect” it would be “one step toward obtaining it” (Thoreau 381). With these remarkably similar statements, both transcendentalists appeal to the reader’s patriotism by using language evocative of the agitated and outraged colonial Americans who demanded the people’s voice be heard in government. Although published roughly a half century later, “Self-Reliance” and “Civil Disobedience” mirror the sentiments of famous Revolution-era leaders such as Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry.
During the debate, we covered all three elements of the rhetorical appeals: pathos, logos and ethos. In the beginning, Jiale talked about the Second Amendment, stating that United States citizens have the right to keep and bear arms. She then applied this concept with a historical event of the independence war with Britain. From referring to the history, this established the ethos of our group. Audience knew that we have done research about the topic and our arguments are reliable. During the debate, we paid close attention to other
In his prominent 1961 Inaugural Address, John F. Kennedy extensively employs pathos, parallelism, antithesis, and varied syntax to captivate millions of people, particularly to persuade them to stand together and attempt to further human rights for the “betterment” of the world. Kennedy’s effective use of various rhetorical styles succeeds in persuading his audience –the world and the U.S. citizens—that his newly-seized position as the U.S. President will be worthwhile for all. 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.”
In this paper I am going to discuss the rhetorical appeals, as well as the argumentative structure, audience and purpose set forth by George W. Bush in his September 27 speech in Flagstaff, Arizona. More specifically I will refer to the rhetorical appeals of ethos, pathos and logos, and explain how they are used to gain the support and attention of the audience and further the further the purpose of the speech. As I explain these appeals I will also give an insight into the argumentative structure and why it is apparent in this particular speech.
I have never seen a person so good at giving public speeches in my entire life. That person became memorable in my life immediately after I saw/heard him speaking on television in front of a thousand people as he became the first African-American president of the United States of America. He introduced himself without a fear, but with confidence and belief that the United States of America is a country where anything is possible and that he is capable to be a leader of this country and their nation for a while. This person is Barack Obama who came to make changes to America by sharing his past and his plans with the entire world.