ipl-logo

Obama Second Inaugural Address Rhetorical Analysis Essay

593 Words3 Pages

Tim Davis Mrs. Hampton AP English 11: A4 19 January 2017 Obama Rhetorical Analysis In President Obama’s Second Inaugural Address delivered on January 20th, 2013, he eloquently adopts several rhetorical devices for the purpose of looking forward on a “journey”. Excerpts from our Constitution also help him to achieve his purpose. Obama began his address by acknowledging the audience at the Inauguration. By doing this he showed respect to the holders of office, and showed that he was part of the people. This is very similar to what Lincoln and Kennedy did in their respective speeches. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States are often said to be the greatest pieces of political prose. Obama quoted them when he read the opening sentence of the Declaration of Independence, spoke about upholding the Constitution by holding the inauguration …show more content…

The first time he alluded to the closing of the Gettysburg Address, the second time he quoted directly from Lincoln’s 1858 House Divided speech. Many politicians and orators often quote Lincoln’s House Divided speech, because we must stay united as one country. Obama says that we must work to make it through the challenges set before us. He spoke of how we made it through the Civil War united, and we built up a country that cares for the vulnerable. This is the beginning of the “never-ending journey” he speaks of. He later says that the journey is an incomplete one. This too is similar to what Lincoln and Kennedy did in their speeches. Lincoln had “high hope” and Kennedy spoke about progressiveness as a nation. Obama rarely used the words you and I, but utilized "we" and "we the people". This goes to show that he thinks that there is no individual person, but we are one nation and must stay united. It also shows that Obama is not above the people, but he is one of them and will work with them on this long

Show More
Related

  • George Washington's Second Inaugural Address Summary

    237 Words  | 1 Pages

    George Washington’s 1793 Second Inaugural Speech expresses the desire to be an upfront and honest president. He promised to show confidence and convey that he has been given a huge honor in being elected, again. He allowed for fellow Americans to scold and blame him, if he made any mistakes knowingly, or unknowingly. George did not wish for constitutional punishment to be brought, upon him, though.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of George Washington's Inaugural Address

    1040 Words  | 5 Pages

    Rhetorical Analysis In April 30, 1789, President George Washington gave his inaugural address in Wall Street, New York. Beginning with the words, "...summoned by my country whose voice I can never hear but with veneration and love..." Washington uses personification as he describes the American people that called out for him for his help and his being in office as the whole country with nothing but positivity. The country had just voted for him, not to mention the 69 presidential electors.

    Read More

  • Fdr State Of The Union Speech Analysis

    1735 Words  | 7 Pages

    Given that he spoke for the American people, he implies that as a nation, we have had to make some difficult choices, but, yet we make those decisions with courage and determination that keeps us united. This is one of the many points that highlights his speech. Giving positive and strong statements adds strength to his speech which keeps his audience occupied with his words. Hence, it is very important that audience is listening and comprehending what is being

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Obama Speech

    873 Words  | 4 Pages

    (Obama, 2015, p.1) Explanation: Obama clearly states throughout his speech that he is here to celebrate America and Selma. A way to say look how far we have come. He feels that this was a stepping stone, a big moment in history that he admires.

    Read More

  • Language In Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

    577 Words  | 3 Pages

    Abe Lincoln, in his second inaugural address, uses language with which the audience can connect and relate. Through inclusive pronouns, parallel sentence structure, pathos, and metaphors, Lincoln does not simply list off what the war has entailed or recommend a certain path the people must take. Lincoln instead consoles the nation as if it was a dear old friend whom is in dire need of advice. The first rhetorical strategy Lincoln used was inclusive pronouns such as “we”, “us”, and “all”. Additionally, the president began the address with the inviting words “Fellow Countrymen”.

    Read More

  • Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address Rhetorical Analysis Essay

    492 Words  | 2 Pages

    Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address Rhetorical Analysis The purpose of this speech is detailed in the time period. This speech was written/spoken at the end of the American Civil war. It is President Lincoln’s way of putting a tentative end to the war and a start to the recovery period. He is still oppressing the south in his diction when he states “Both parties deprecated war: but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive; and the other would accept war rather than let it perish.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

    799 Words  | 4 Pages

    It is seen clearly in his word choice that Lincoln calls for a lasting and fair peace, but not only between the North and South. He also calls the American people to apply this concept of peace with other countries and in foreign policy. Throughout his Second Inaugural Address, President Abraham Lincoln employs a variety of rhetorical strategies to promote unity between Americans. As Lincoln once said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's Inaugural Address

    464 Words  | 2 Pages

    President Abraham Lincoln, in his inaugural address, addresses the topic of the civil war and its effects on the nation and argues that America could be unified once more. He supports his claim by using massive amounts of parallel structure and strong word choice. Lincoln ‘s purpose is to contemplate the effects of the civil war in order to unite the broken America once again. He adopts a very hopeful tone for his audience, the readers of the inaugural address and others interested in the topic of American history and the civil war.

    Read More

  • Roy Peter Clark I Have A Dream Speech Analysis

    804 Words  | 4 Pages

    Racism has been an important issue that plays a huge role in today’s society. In Roy Peter Clark’s article “Why it worked”, he expressed his views on Barack Obama’s speech “A More Perfect Union”. Also comparing it to Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. In Obama’s speech he discussed the constitution and racial segregation in America, and the comments made by Reverend J. Wright, his former pastor. He also tells a little about his racial background.

    Read More

  • A Rhetorical Analysis Of President Obama's Eulogy

    771 Words  | 4 Pages

    So when President Obama at the end of his speech begins to sing, “Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me; I once was lost, but now I’m found; was blind but now I see.” It is not the paper in front of him belting out those lyrics, nor is it the way he wrote them on the paper that somehow makes them come out of his mouth in song, but it is his connection to the people that makes this melodious decision. Clearly, the writing of the speech helped the President organize his thoughts, but in the end, his delivery made all the difference to the citizens of the United States.

    Read More

  • Metaphors In The Gettysburg Address

    808 Words  | 4 Pages

    On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln gave a speech that, unbeknownst to him, would become one of the most recognized speeches in the history of the United States. The empowering speech was given in the midst of the gruesome civil war that began between the north and the south over the long-conflicted morality of slavery. Through one of the most highly remembered speeches of our history, The Gettysburg Address, Lincoln commemorates the dead and wounded soldiers at the site of the battle in Gettysburg through references to history, unificating diction and metaphors of life and death to unite the nation in a time of separation and provide a direction for the future of the country. Lincoln begins his essay utilizing historical references in order to illustrate to the public the basis of what the nation was founded upon. Through this, he reminds Americans the morals and ideals that the people are willing to spill blood for.

    Read More

  • Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address Rhetorical Analysis

    642 Words  | 3 Pages

    Lincoln urges the people to “strive on to finish the work we are in,” “to bind up the nation's wounds,” he is trying to get the United Sate Citizens to become one again to unite and be one strong country, showing that even after a huge war that the country can remain strong and unified and that this war will allow for a strong brotherhood in the US. Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address is significant because Lincoln offered and objective point of view. Lincoln did not speak of the unloyalty of the South nor did he praise the North. Rather, Lincoln used multiple points to show that the Unification should be the main focus of his speech not that the states should be divided because of

    Read More

  • George W Bush Inaugural Speech Analysis

    730 Words  | 3 Pages

    In his inaugural speech given on January 20, 2001, George W. Bush address the country for the first time after being sworn in as the 43rd president of the United States. Millions of people from around the world tuned in to watch the president give his address. The people who voted for and against him are both wanting to hear what the president has to say. George W. Bush gives an effective inaugural address by using biblical allusions, collaborative language, and an anaphora in order to unite the country after a contentious election. Bush used biblical allusions to appeal mostly to the evangelicals who were listening to his speech.

    Read More

  • Barack Obama Rhetorical Analysis Essay

    478 Words  | 2 Pages

    Furthermore, President Obama’s first inaugural speech contained patriotism, allusions, and anaphoras to appeal to the effect of pathos. His diction helps to persuade his audience that he is understanding and emotionally connected to the situation that America has been in and the importance of sticking to the ideas that our founding fathers have implemented thus far in America’s

    Read More

  • A Rhetorical Analysis Of Barack Obama's Inaugural Speech

    978 Words  | 4 Pages

    Barack Obama’s win for President in 2009 was a historical moment for the United States. His inaugural speech was much anticipated, because this was going to set the tone for his presidency. His speech told the American people that improving the economy is one of his priorities, but there were also other areas he would like to improve like healthcare and the education system. This was a speech that was meant to persuade the American public to take action for them to rise as a nation again, and for them to put their trust into him. His message addressed a couple of specific points like his gratefulness to the American people, the different crises America is facing, how America will overcome these crises, replying to his cynics, addressing the world, and then he reminded America again to be brave like they’ve always been to overcome the hard times (5 Speechwriting Lessons from Obama's Inaugural Speech, (n.d.).

    Read More

More about Obama Second Inaugural Address Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Open Document