Daniel Webster speech in 1830 against granting states the power of “Nullification” of any federal law was an eye-opening sight, as he refocused officials to the duties and key roles of the American government, which was to serve the people. Webster believed heartily in the idea that the people had the power to change and reform legislation stating, “ [the people’s] known and admitted power to alter or amend the constitution, peaceably and quietly, whenever experience shall point out defects or imperfections.” This is the basis of his thoughts about the distribution of power in the American government as the people have the ultimate decision over their own fate and that even appointed official cannot change that, or so that they may be removed …show more content…
His speech was articulate and precise to his focus of speech, while at the same time holding the audience’s attention with delicately strung words. His speech gave it’s opposition to the idea of “Nullification”, while at the same time embracing the core values of the government by directing the officials to the importance of this new government to the people and not to the states that represent them. As for great orators of today’s time, one cannot say that our first African- American president, Barack Obama, was nothing short of superb when it came to delivering speeches and announcements to the people of the United States. His ability to rally, quell, and connect to his people was awe- inspiring. President Obama had an eloquence, that was neither perceived as arrogant, nor snobbish, but as true leader devoted to the welfare and prosperity of the people of this great nation. This is why President Obama was such a well received president by most, because he stood for the American dream and exemplified the will and drive the people within this nation. Other great orators include names of people who have passed like Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, President Abraham Lincoln and many more great faces that invoked passion in their listeners and lead great movements during their time. As time passes, orators have to face larger challenges in delivering speeches as media and television have changed the dynamics of deliverance of
In 2004, Obama walked up to the podium at the Democratic National Convention as a political novelty. The speech he delivered established Obama as a natural leader and transformed him into a future presidential candidate. Rich in demonstrative rhetoric, its purpose was to unite the American people through nationalism. The exploration of his rhetoric and style throughout this paper will cement why the speech was beneficially identity transforming for Obama's political career.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy delivered one of the most important American speeches after being sworn in as president on January 20, 1961. His inauguration speech was so influential that it seized the nation’s attention, and quotes from it are still clearly remembered by people today. It is considered one of the best speeches ever written and ever delivered. It presents a strong appeal to pathos, ethos, and logos and accomplishes what any speaker strives for – it speaks straight to the heart of the audience and inspires people.
Leonard Pitts’ piece was effective from the start even though his piece was written in a ranting manner. This is because the author pours opinionated pathos into the piece and it happened to be the feeling of everyone in the country at the moment. The author also dismisses his ethos as a paid column writer to say what the normal American with average communication skills would say. Most paid column writers would probably not use the words, ¨you monster. You beast. You unspeakable bastard¨ (Pitts). However, even though he is dismissing his credibility this works for him because it makes him a relatable speaker and makes the reader want to continue reading.
Obama introduced his speech greeted the audience, and since the beginning he identified himself as one more citizen of the America, by refereeing to his broadly audience as “his fellow citizens,” (Klein) which was an effective way to have the people attention. Then he grounded his words on the Constitution of the United States to introduce his thesis about how the patriots of 1776 fought to give us a republic and a government that defended the rights of its people. He also presented the main points of his speech, and concluded his introduction by sharing common past experiences about the economic success achieved and about the importance of protecting the most vulnerable. This way he put his ideas in context and made his address more credible.
On January 26, 1830, the government was put to the test by the people of South Carolina. The representatives of South Carolina fought to not have the Tariff of 1828 because it would have hurt the farmers of South Carolina financially. The Tariff of 1828 would have raised the price on their cost of planting for the advantage of the north. Daniel Webster led the argument, in which he wholeheartedly believed that the states right to reject the Tariff. Webster made some effective arguments. One that stood out the most is the claim that the citizens are in charge of the government. The Government and constitution would not have even existed if it were not for the people to establish and raise it, therefore the states have the right to reject anything
On the floor of the Senate on January19-27, 1830, Senator Daniel Webster of Massachusetts argued that the states should be considered as one nation (Webster, 178). In response, Senator Robert Hayne of South Carolina argued that the states should be able to interpose and or nullify the federal government and its laws when they thought necessary to protect their citizens’ rights. (Hayne, 166). Overall, Senator Webster’s argument was better because he pointed out that although join the federal government may seem risky, it overall goal is to ensure a stronger nation for the people.
Social consciousness in the media and journalism is commonly thought of as the ability to acknowledge that an event has occurred, then address it vaguely in order to parade a false sense of progression. However, columnist and Pulitzer winner, Leonard Pitts Jr. embraces the analysis and discussion of issues that the public does not understand or refuses to recognize, such as racial prejudice, gay rights, and environmental deterioration. In each of his pieces, Pitts provides versatility with his rationale as well as an immense regard for the magnitude of communal perception and prejudices. In support of his more liberal ideals, he makes a point of using compelling argumentative techniques, which convinces his audience to examine the articles
Andrew Johnston English 101 Wendy Rider October 10, 2015 Rhetorical Analysis of “The Rules about the Rules” In the article “The Rules about the Rules,” Stephen L. Carter uses the rhetorical strategy of pathos to speak about integrity. A topic that is heard by Americans, but no one knows what the true definition is. Carter writes "The Rules about the Rules" using stories and examples that people can relate too, to persuade the audience that we say a lot of things we don’t mean. As Carter goes from one main point to another, he makes his points clear.
The rhetorical situation refers to “a situation in which people’s understanding can be changed through messages.” (Zarefsky, 12). The rhetorical situation analysis consists of four elements: audience, occasion, speaker and speech, each assessing the quality of speech. In this essay, I will analyze the rhetorical situation of the historical speech “The Challenger Address” delivered by the 40th president of the United States, Ronald Reagan.
President Obama, like all Presidents before him, delivered a farewell address to the United States on January 20, 2017. As he stepped down as President he was eloquent and it was as clear as ever that he is a master of oration. Obama will go down in history as the first Black President as well as a strong orator who had the ability to captivate an audience through his use of ethos, pathos and logos amongst other rhetorical devices. His farewell address is a perfect example of Obama’s mastery of discourse as it is chock full of oratorical devices. Obama’s message to the American people and to the rest of the world is that it is essential that we maintain a sense of what it means to have a democracy and that in order to maintain peace and
Barrack Obama’s inauguration speech successfully accomplished his goal by using rhetoric to ensure our nation that we will be under safe hands. The speech is similar from ideas obtained from the founding documents and Martin Luther King’s speech to establish ‘our’ goal to get together and take some action on the problems our country is now facing. As President Barrack Obama starts his speech, he keeps himself from using ‘me’, ‘myself’, and ‘I’ and replacing it with ‘we’, ‘us’, and ‘together’ to achieve ethos. He makes sure his audience connects with him directly by making them feel at his level, and him at theirs. This way he connects to the audience, and in exchange, helps his
Throughout the course of time there have been many world renowned orators, that have forever changed history. The power to speak and captivate an audience is a gift that not many possess. There are have been numerous leaders throughout the world that have achieved this gift and have put it to use. There have been both positive and negative outcomes of public speaking by famous leaders. Whether it was African-American civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr., changing the world and the views of people for the better with his “I Have A Dream” speech, or German dictator, Adolf Hitler, pushing his anti-semitic views through his Nazi speeches, people listened. People will always listen to these speeches and take away something different
Ralph Waldo Emerson expressed the importance of speech in one short sentence: “Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.” In 2008, the power of speech changed the course of history; the first African American president was elected, transcending years of racial inequality. For many blacks in the U.S., and many around the world, Barack Obama’s presidency was a step closer to righting America’s 400-year-old wrong: slavery and subsequent discrimination toward the black race. Obama’s victory was traced back to his powerful speech and his natural ability to charismatically orate. In the end, however, it was Obama’s political philosophy that persuaded individuals to support him. Following his victory in 2008, President Barack Obama used rhetoric to advocate for change, hope, and a united America where the window of opportunity could remain open for all.
Obama’s Victory Speech is separated in a lot of small sections. After finishing one section of his speech, he makes a long dramatic pause. That makes the speech very intimate. These dramatic pauses are used by almost any good speaker. Obama’s manner of speaking is very natural, he tells about experiences he have had, he shows a lot of gratitude, he speak with humility of a high
History has proven time and again, across every historical era and cultural period, that those who are capable of naturally delivering intelligent and inspirational oratory have the unique potential to inspire individuals to action, motivate the formation of mass movements, and effect social changes on a grand scale. Persuading people to embrace ideological ideals through the effective use of rhetorical skill has been a higher intellectual pursuit since the time of Aristotle and the ancient Greeks, with philosophers, politicians and public figures sharing in the study of oratory and its power to influence action. Throughout the span of human civilization the most momentous events have typically been preceded by the delivery of an impassioned, moving speech, from President Abraham Lincoln's decisive Gettysburg Address spurring the emancipation of American slaves to Martin Luther King Jr. and his celebrated "I Have a Dream Speech" uniting a fractured nation.