A Rhetorical Analysis Of Theodore Roosevelt's Speech

At just age 43, Theodore Roosevelt, better known as Teddy Roosevelt, became the president of the United States following a tragic incident in which William McKinley was assassinated, making him the youngest presidents. He brought a new spirit into the white house, one that believed that the president should work for his country to do whatever is necessary. As a president he expanded executive power, believed in a strong foreign policy as well as pushed many progressive reforms. On April 23, 1910, while in Paris, France, he delivered a speech to an audience filled with students of the prestigious school of Sorbonne University. Within his speech he touches on the idea of the advantages that these students have been given, however, in a polite

This speech was given with a tone that is both passionate and polite. The author feels strongly about this issue and brings to attention a multitude of points about it. If an author is speaking passionately about a subject it makes the audience want to pay attention. However, this was also done in a polite manner. The purpose of it also being delivered in a polite manner is so that the audience is not offended. If the audience becomes angered by the speech given, it is unlikely that they will agree or remember any of the points being made. The use of a passionate tone increases the speaker's ethos and a polite tone keeps the audience peaceful, and when combined helps the author achieve his purpose. The author of this piece is trying to convey a strong message that his audience is not used to hearing. His audience is used to being handed what they want and working very little and the idea that one who is below their status is equal if not better even if they fail is a hard concept to get across. The use of these tactics allow for the the author to convey his purpose and message in such a way that it is not immediately rejected and the thought remains a possibility to be thought