Rhetorical Analysis Of For A Declaration Of War By Franklin Delano Roosevelt

There comes a time in peoples’ lives when one feels threatened to such a degree that it is necessary by all means to retaliate to ensure proper protection and rights, whether it be for any individual, group of people, or country itself. When any type of power secretly attacks another body, this goes to show a cowardly act, which causes mass destruction that can immensely change the integrity of peoples’ minds and lives. Within his speech “For a Declaration of War,” Franklin Delano Roosevelt greatly proves his needs and purpose for vengeance on Japan by making use of logos, pathos, and anaphora. Right in the beginning of his speech, FDR clearly makes his position as president by using logic to explain the terrible tragedy that the United States had just experienced. This is proven when Roosevelt states, “The United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan” (Roosevelt). By using this type of rhetorical appeal, Roosevelt validates the attack by stating and giving factual evidence that an act of terrorism has been brought upon the United States by the Japanese government. Since he uses

Roosevelt demonstrates this quality when he repeats, “Our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger” (Roosevelt). With including an emphasis on unity, Roosevelt was able to maintain the idea that even though this was a time of adversity, anyone and everyone’s standpoint was important to him. Roosevelt is clear in the sense that he must do something to protect the people of his country; otherwise, he will be ultimately failing his duties as president of the United States. Similarly, the readers now can see that at any costs, Roosevelt will do everything in his power to make sure that no one will be left