A Rhetorical Analysis Of Barack Obama Speech

Chanell Loochkartt
Speech 1
Dr. Grau
November 22, 2016
Analyzing a Speech
Our forty-fourth President Barack Hussein Obama is known to be one of the most profound, intelligent, and influential speaker in the United States. With confidence Barack Obama has always shown a sense of leadership which is the key to attracting and persuading his audience. In order to make certain that his audience is left with a positive impression and a sense of aspiration for those who are citizens of the United States. One of Barack Obamas famous and highly respected speech is the one he presented at the Democratic National Convention Keynote Address on July 27, 2004, Boston, Massachusetts.
The Democratic National Convention Key Note Address at the time was given by Barack Obama when he was the Illinois State Senator, United States senatorial candidate, and future president. Barack Obama was chosen to deliver the address, and he largely wrote the speech himself but had to be approved by John Kerry’s campaign. The purpose of his speech was his reasons for his support of John Kerry and for his own vision of America. Both for the various narratives it describes as well as its implications for racial reconciliation. Barack Obama’s body language when addressing his
speech standing tall, firm, and assertive throughout his speech making sure that he made full on direct eye contact with his audience and made sure that his voice would flow throughout the whole speech. This speech was just the start of many beginning’s and succeeding achievements in his future for Barack Obama.
First of all, this remarkable occasion of the Democratic National Convention Key Note Address was very special because of the way that Barack Obama felt very proud and honored that he was nominated to be the speaker. He mentioned that his presence on that stage is “not unlikeable” the reason for this is that you wouldn’t expect someone like him because of his appearance. Obama is proud of his African heritage and considers himself to be black. As he addresses gracefully capturing his audience attention starting with “my father was a foreign student, born and raised in a small village in Kenya. He grew up herding goats, went to school in a tin- roof shack. His father, my grandfather, was a cook, a domestic servant to the British.” Barack Obama represents here an emotion that appeals to pathos because he knows that each and every one of his audience has a story to tell from their background. He also says that his “grandfather had larger dreams for his son” just like every parent that wants the best for their children and to strive for the goals that they want no matter how challenging it may be.

For instance, Barack Obama can relate to his audience just like his audience can relate to him because no one comes from a perfect background.
This quote said by Barack Obama during his speech “I stand here knowing that my story is part of the larger American story, that I owe a debt to all of those who came before me, and that in no other country on Earth is my story even possible.” This is truly fascinating he represents admiration for the United States because all different types of ethnicities around the world want to come to the U.S for various reasons, to be able to live in freedom, to practice their religion freely, to escape from poverty or oppression, and lastly to make better lives for themselves and for their
children
Furthermore, Barack Obama’s main argument for the Democratic National Convention Key Note Address was an important value that we as American citizens must “gather to affirm the greatness of our nation not because of the height of our skyscrapers, or the power of our military, or the size of our economy; our pride is based on a very simple premise, summed up in a declaration made over two hundred years ago”. This quote is a representation of logos, for instance, he is using logic about what the United States seems to be based on to other people, and is persuading his audience by uniting them together in order to maintain Americas ideals and motivating the audience to realize that "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”
In addition to all of that, towards the middle of his speech Barack Obama engages more in his support for John Kerry he begins with “Our party has chosen a man to lead us who embodies the best this country has to offer and that man is John Kerry.” Obama says how John Kerry “understands the ideals of community, faith, and service because they've defined his life.” Obama clearly understands the positive impacts that John Kerry has done for our society in the United States. Not only that but Obama also addresses some background about John Kerry serving in Vietnam, his years as prosecutor and lieutenant governor, two decades in the United States Senate which are all very heroic attributes that represent a true leader yet he has devoted himself to the United States. This all is an appeal to mythos because of the fact that Obama described the cultural values that John Kerry has expressed by values and customs that regulated his behavior of the society.
However, throughout Barack Obama’s speech he constantly uses a repetition by stating John Kerry’s name at the beginning of each sentence. For example, “John Kerry believes in an America where all Americans can afford the same health coverage our politicians in Washington have for themselves. John Kerry believes in the constitutional freedoms that have made our country the envy of the world, and he will never sacrifice our basic liberties nor use faith as a wedge to divide us. John Kerry believes that in a dangerous world, war must be an option sometimes, but it should never be the first option.” Barack Obama uses repetition for his support for John Kerry and knows that he is a candidate that best fits for American as he quotes that “John Kerry believes in America.”
Similarly, Barak Obama ultimately appeals to ethos by saying “I believe” towards the end. This signifies that Obama wants his audience to be convinced and find him credible. He definitely demonstrates persuasion throughout his speech in order to get the crowds energy and attention. For example, “I believe that we can give our middle-class relief and provide working families with a road to opportunity.” He believes that the middle is important and deserves equal opportunity as everyone else. Another example he says “I believe we can provide jobs for the jobless, homes to the homeless, and reclaim young people in cities across America from violence and despair.” Representing here equality for the each and every citizen’s rights and lastly Obama quotes, “I believe that we have a righteous wind at our backs and that as we stand on the crossroads of history, we can make the right choices and meet the challenges that face us.” The usage of these ideas and customs that Barack Obama says represent ethos because he seems trustworthy and relates to his audience. This is an important part of Barack Obama's character so that his audiences get to feel a deeper more personal emotion as well as for him to connect with his audience.
In conclusion, Barack Obama managed to come together to put the effort, dedication, and commitment to this speech. The Democratic National Convention Key Note Address given by Barack Obama showed that America is passionate and filled with hopefulness if “we do what we must do” all across the country if we all rise together he had no doubt that John Kerry would become president. Overall Barack Obama did an outstanding performance and over the years he has continued to influence many Americans across the country.