Mrs. Reynolds
Rhetoric I
16 December 2013
Remember the Titans
Thesis: Coach Boone’s speeches to his players are by made powerful and influential by his first-rate use of logos, ethos, and pathos. 1. logos: don’t repeat history’s mistakes, work together or you won’t win, comparison to the real Titans 2. pathos: comparison to Gettysburg 3. ethos: he is non-racist, forces his interracial team to work together Many strong speeches are given in the movie Remember the Titans. Two of the best speeches in the whole movie are given by Coach Boone to his football team composed of both black and white players. His team is the only in the conference like this, and his players struggle to work together because of their differences. As the coach, it is his responsibility to do everything in his power to make his team look past this and come together to make the most of their difficult situation. Coach Boone’s speeches to his players are made powerful and influential by his first-rate use of logos, ethos, and pathos. Logos is the most commonly used rhetorical device by speakers, and Coach Boone is no exception to the rule. The two strongest speeches he gives to his players both exemplify the best way to use logos. In the first speech being analyzed, the coach is speaking to his players about working together and not being divided while on the field of the battle of Gettysburg. He tells them about how brother fought against brother, and the price they paid for what they did, how they destroyed each other. If they don’t shape up and learn how to be a team, they too will be destroyed. Lessons must be learned from history, and mistakes should not be repeated. Coach Boone understands this, and desperately wants his team to understand it as well. In both speeches being analyzed, there is a common theme of “ if you don’t work together then you won’t win,” and “don’t let anything come between you and your team.” This is one of the most important elements of a team,