Aristotelian Criticism of Jimmy Carter's Speech for Gerald Ford's Eulogy

1976 was the first time in the United States history where presidential candidates would debate head to head, sharing the stage and increasing competition. Gerald Ford was expected to come ahead, but his opponent Jimmy Carter was perceived as confident and a fierce contender. Many argue that Gerald Ford’s downfall was due to the pardon of President Nixon, while others thought he faltered during the live broadcasted debate in San Francisco, with his response to his “international policy leadership.” (CNN Time) Nevertheless, come election day, Jimmy Carter was the new Commander in Chief. Although their rivalry was aggressive, the two stayed friends and worked closely on many national matters, such as “the Panama Canal treaties, nuclear armaments control with the Soviet Union and the Camp David accords.” (Carter) President Carter spoke at Ford’s funeral and Carter’s speech is a great example of how a speaker can convey condolence and affection for a worth adversary and friend. A Neo-Aristotelian Criticism, created in 1925, by Hervert A. Wichlen is an analysis that condones the use of the five cannons; invention, organization, style, memory and delivery. To begin with invention, one must describe the external proofs, meaning the context of the speech and background of the speaker and occasion and internal proofs, the affected audience and specific appeals used. Ethos appeal to ethics and morals, pathos, targeting emotions and logos, to engaging facts and logistics. The second foundation is organization, or the structure and arrangement of said artifact. This is looking at why and what manner the rhetor organized context. The third cannon is style, meaning the stylistic device the speaker chose to weave into his speech, such as alliteration, metaphors or allegories or just the style of language the rhetor uses. Next is memory. Has the rhetor memorized some, part or all of his speech? The final cannon is delivery, the actual presentation of the artifact. Examples are

Bibliography: Foss, Sonja K. Rhetorical Criticism: Exploration & Practice. 4th ed. Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland, 1989. Print. Carter, Jimmy. "Carter Center Editorials and Speeches - Jimmy Carter Eulogy for Gerald R. Ford." Carter Center Editorials and Speeches - Jimmy Carter Eulogy for Gerald R. Ford. The Carter Center, 3 Jan. 2007. Web. 09 Sept. 2012. . "1976 Presidential Debates." AllPolitics. Ed. Unknown. CNN.com, 1996. Web. 09 Sept. 2012. . Goodrigde, Elisabeth. "Gerald Ford v. Jimmy Carter: "There Is No Soviet Domination of Eastern Europe"" U.S. News and World Report. U.S. News and World Report, 17 Jan. 2008. Web. 9 Sept. 2012. .