Critique of a Political Speech Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Critique of a Political spoken language - Essay ExampleFor the first conjure, or Ethos, it is usually utilized for the description of the speakers credibleness or authority in the subject he is talking on. It presents the questions, what authority does the speaker to talk on the topic or is the speaker k right awayledgeable enough? Ethos also pertains to the charisma of the speaker, on whether he has captured or garnered the respect of his audience for them to listen to what he has to convey. In the speech of Obama, it is clear that the element or appeal of Ethos is present. Since it is Obamas inaugural speech as the 44th chairwoman of the United States, he obviously has the authority, charisma, and depose of the audience. In his speech, he reminds the audience of his inauguration as the 44th President of the United States, offers his thanks and appreciativeness for his victory and at the same time, and recognizes the enormous responsibility he is to undertake from his predecesso rs. Typical to many semipolitical speeches, ethos is established during the introduction where a speaker attempts to garner the trust and confidence of his audience. He posits in the sign paragraphs of his Inaugural speech, Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during uprising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and blistering storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in towering office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents. What can be appreciated from Obamas speech with regard to ethos would be that Obama presented his authority and charisma in a very humble manner. He did not appear to boast that he is now the latest President of the United States, but or else conveyed an aura of humility. He begins by saying, My fe llow citizens, where he attempts to present himself as another ordinary American citizen, and he again mentions, I stand here today humbled by the task forrader us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. Obama even sought to praise the achievements of then-President George W. Bush, which would have to a certain extent, healed wounded political scars in the recent elections. He stated, I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition. For the second appeal, Logos, it is the enjoyment of reason and logic to persuade the audience. Through the use of facts, statistics, and researches as evidence, the speaker convinces the audience of the truth and validity of his claim. As expected of a prominent lawyer, a former Senator, and the new President of the United States, Obama is well-informed, well-researched, and well-versed with political developmen ts. In his speech, Obama presents the current problems of the United States. He states in paragraph 4, That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a backwash of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make effortful choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost jobs shed businesses shuttered. Our