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Rhetorical Analysis Of Columbine High School Memorial Address

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Adrianna Abbruzzese Mrs. Grillo 10H:5 14 April 2023 Al Gore Columbine Speech Rhetorical Analysis “Nothing that I say to you can bring comfort (Gore, ‘Columbine High School Memorial Address’),” were the powerful words that Al Gore, former vice president of the United States, used to begin the memorial address for the thirteen people that were tragically murdered in the infamous Columbine High School shooting of 1999. It was one of the deadliest mass shootings in US history, and attracted large-scale media attention throughout the country. As vice president at the time, Gore gave a memorial speech that sought out to provide strength and hope to a nation united in mourning over such an act of violence. Through the use of various rhetorical …show more content…

Gore makes multiple references to bible verses. For example, Gore says, “Suffering lays bare our common human need for love, kindness, and grace…though it may be darkness now, ‘joy cometh in the morning (Gore, “Columbine High School Memorial Address’).” He uses this quote to show how united humans are in their suffering, and provide hope for the future. In addition, the fact that these allusions are religious are signifcant: Gore uses religion as a way to strengthen his speech, by connecting the emotion he is invoking and message he intends to spread to religious beliefs, which appeals to religious Christians attending the memorial address. Gore also uses repetition towards the end of his speech. He repeatedly uses the phrase, “We can do something about that”, each time he urges the audience to make changes in society (Gore, ‘Columbine High School Memorial Address’). This use of repetition emphasizes his point about how this change can be made, if people put in the effort. Finally, Gore also uses anecdotes that tell stories of the bravery shown in the people at Columbine, including Coach Dave Sanders, Aaron Hancey, and Cassie Bernall; “at Columbine High School last week, this great goodness was expressed in the bravery of the teachers who risked their own lives to protect the lives of their students. These teachers knew their pupils, and loved them as if they were their own children. No one can doubt that. Their love was made not of words; their love was made of acts (Gore, ‘Columbine High School Memorial Address’).” By doing so, he not only shows respect to the victims and acknoledges their strength, but also makes a point that, how despite the tragedy, there is hope and kindness in the country and the people of

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