Kennedy Address Rhetorical Analysis Essay

In the “Address to the People of Massachusetts on Chappaquiddick” Senator Edward Kennedy attempts to persuade the audience to forgive him and understand that his behavior after this tragic accident is not a part of his character, but just one action of fleeing the scene to which he pleads guilty. He adopts an apologetic tone in order to appeal to the people emotionally and allow the audience to see that he regrets the actions he made. Senator Kennedy begins his address by voicing the background and connections between himself and family friend Mary Jo Kopechne. He appeals to the emotions of the audience when he asserts, “No words on my part can possibly express the terrible pain and suffering I feel over this tragic incident. This last week has been an agonizing one for me and for the members of my family. And the grief we feel over the loss of a wonderful friend will remain with us the rest of our lives”. This outpouring of emotion from senator Kennedy conveys a mournful tone that reassures the state of Massachusetts that he did not have any bad intentions and has been affected as well. The apologetic tone
This display that kennedy uses appeals to the audience by gaining their respect and not giving a list of reasons of why it is not his fault. He had began his speech by admitting “ Although my doctors informed me that I suffered a cerebral concussion, as well as shock, I do not seek to escape responsibility for my actions by placing the blame either on the physical and emotional trauma brought on by the accident, or on anyone else”. This acceptance of action allows Kennedy to gain the reader's respect and overall assurance that he is very credible by appealing using ethos. Without this establishment of moral virtue kennedy's speech wouldn't have been very strong because this allows the reader to fully trust and understand the events explained