Rhetorical Analysis Of I Have Sinned By President Bill Clinton

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President Bill Clinton, gave an apologetic speech “I have Sinned” on September 11, 1998 in front of over a hundred priests and ministers in the annual White House prayer breakfast. The whole nation knows what happened with President Clinton and his intern, many would defend him even say that media and other sources are invading his privacy but something like that coming from our president? I don’t think it’s something a big icon as himself can just let slide by. Which leads to this speech of his, he wanted to apologize and gain forgiveness not only from his family and America but from God as well. As the speech goes on you can hear President Clinton’s sorrowful tone. Taking us deeper into how admitting and regretful he is about his sin and …show more content…

He begins the speech using pathos, expecting the audience will associate with him through their emotions. He says, “It is important to me that everybody who has been hurt know the sorrow I feel is genuine” trying to not only apologize to the people he has upset, but to prove to the nation that he was still capable of being a better president and a good religious man. In other words he was trying to gain sympathy from his audience, President Clinton wanted his followers to believe that every human does make mistake, but they should be given another chance. His attempt was not successful because he was criticized even after that speech.Clinton then appeals to the audience’s ears when stating, “I am very grateful for the many, many people- clergy and ordinary citizens alike- who have written me with wise counsel” here he develops the idea of pathos and allows the audience to distinguish themselves and feel a connection with him through his words. He then touches his audience’s hearts by saying, “If my repentance is genuine and sustain and if I can maintain both a broken spirit and a strong heart, then good can come out of this...” trying to find good in the decisions he has made and hurt his family as well as his own …show more content…

He is using his words and knowledge in order to keep his presidency. He says, “I cannot move beyond or forget this … it is very important that our nation move forward”, using the logic that despite of his fault, to succeed, it is vital that the nation continues to be united as one. “The children of this country can learn …that the integrity is important and selfishness is wrong, but God can change us and make us strong at the broken places”; Clinton wants his sin to be seen as a lesson learn. In other words, he implies people make mistakes and regardless of how big or small it was, asking God for forgiveness will make you strong and give you the power to keep moving

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