Rhetorical Analysis Of Franklin Roosevelt's Speech

Franklin Roosevelt's speech was presented on December 8, 1941 following soon after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. It was presented in front of congress in order to explain the tragic events of the previous days atrocity, as well as create a declaration of war against Japan. Roosevelt's speech triggered numerous emotions in his audience. However, it was also logical, comforting, and helped ensure our nation that we will rebuild following our tragic downfall. Roosevelt clearly addresses his audience in a cautious manner, while still creating a desire to fight back and defend our nation. Roosevelt appeals mostly to a logical stance towards the beginning of his speech. Roosevelt's logical plan was stated as “I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and
However, it was critical in the sense that it was spoken by our president, who is supposed to be one of, if not the most credible leaders in the nation. Roosevelt's credibility comes without a doubt. His emotions and logic were equally balanced and weren’t seen as unreliable to any extent. As president, his credibility was perceived as the most important and only needed credibility at the nations time of need. He clearly made the appeal through the use of stating his plan and putting into words the level of devastation of the attack . Roosevelt was put into one of the most stressful situations a person can ever go through. However, he was able to emerge with a strategy to comfort and ensure the nation. Roosevelt's speech triggered numerous emotions in his audience. However, it was also logical, comforting, and helped to ensure our nation that we will rebuild following our tragic downfall. His speech was nearly a perfect balance of pathos, logos, and ethos. Considering the circumstances, Roosevelt was able to pull through and keep our nation in tact with a speech demonstrating his true potential as our