Evidence Oriented Rational Argumentative Essay

a. The rhetor uses evidence oriented rational argument in the form of authoritative evidence by quoting President Kennedy to further the point of the separation of church and state. Edward Kennedy cites information from President Kennedy, who gave a speech to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association, an address where President Kennedy speaks on the issues of religion. Citing evidence from President Kennedy is the dominant strategy that helps to simplify the issue and adds to the rhetor’s credibility. The rhetor also uses the credibility strategy with focus on extrinsic credibility by quoting a prestigious member of the Kennedy family, giving him authority for being related to President Kennedy. He quotes his brother, who is a well-known authority, because quoting someone of a higher power and respect gives him more of an advantage to persuade the audience. The reputation for being a member of the Kennedy family strengthens his argument and adds to audience agreement of his point.

b.
Kennedy uses aesthetics in the form of parallelism by using repetition at the beginning of several sentences. He begins three sentences of the rhetoric with, “I hope for an America where…”; this beginning sentence structure emphasizes Kennedy’s argument and influences his audience. Kennedy effectively uses the parallelism strategy by attending to Rowland’s statement on textbook page 161 of how parallel structure helps the rhetor gain the audience’s attention and makes the rhetoric more memorable. Kennedy appeals to the value of equality by drawing on the audiences hope for a better America. He states on page 15 of Rowland’s workbook, “I hope for an America where no president, no public official, and no individual will ever be deemed a greater or lesser American…”; this reinforces his claim for the support of equality for all of America, with implied emphasis on church and state. The appeal to equality is the dominant strategy that addresses a common value of the audience, and helps to persuade the audience that to have an ideal America, separation of the church and state needs to be respected.

c. Kennedy uses a narrative strategy in the form of identification by telling a story that is commonly known and connects with the audience. The rhetoric tells the audience, “…Catholics, Jews, and nonconformists all rallied to the cause and fought valiantly for the American commonwealth…”; in other words, this implies to the audience that the church and state are separate, but will come together to go against a mutually concerning problem. Using this form of identification is the dominant strategy where Kennedy is able to relate to his audience and break down the religious barrier between them. He also uses aesthetic in the form of allusion by making a brief historical reference to the “city upon a hill”; he presents the phrase without explaining it in detail seeing as the audience is familiar with its meaning. The phrase is commonly known for its reference in John Winthrop’s sermon, and as a phrase from a religious parable of the Bible. Kennedy alludes to the biblical note and adapts to his audience by using this strategy to grab their attention and gain their interest in his rhetoric.

d.
Kennedy uses the evidence oriented rational argument in the form of authoritative evidence when he mentions a quote from Dr. Falwell and builds his argument off of it. He brings up the quote from Dr. Falwell to gain the attention of the audience by citing from a familiar person recognized by the audience. The authoritative evidence is the dominant strategy that adds to Kennedy’s credibility as a knowledgeable rhetor on the subject of policy. Kennedy also uses narrative in the form of consubstantiation by creating a deeper connection with the audience through his reference to a statement by Dr. Falwell. Dr. Falwell said, “To stand against Israel is to stand against God”; since the audience is aware of this phrase, Kennedy uses it to create a relationship with the audience by addressing a line that they recognize. Using consubstantiation helps Kennedy create a deeper connection with the audience and furthers his argument of how both sides have similar understandings of moral
policies.