Obama's Speech

Chongsen Hu

Peter Huk

ENG 110

October 02, 2011

Obama’s Inauguration Speech

An effective piece of rhetoric can persuade its audience to get new beliefs and swayed their thoughts strongly. On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, took advantage of the rhetoric appeals properly at most of parts in the inauguration speech to state his political opinions ambitions. He appeals to the American public’s minds and hearts by talking about real issues, older generation, and explaining his plans about how to change America. The speech was mainly successful.

Obama started his speech with an evaluation of America’s present terrible condition. He said, “That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood”, which implied in different aspects such as economy, politics, and society. He also directly explained the reality of America that “Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our healthcare is too costly; our schools fail too many”. After that, Obama stated his strong determination about how to solve these problems: “They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America- they will be met”. Obama has told the public about the truth of weakness in America and some solutions to change the predicament. It is pretty crucial for a politicians’ honesty and determination because these two things can let an audience trust them. Obama used the appeal of logos accurately to gain American people’s trust and support.

Next, in his speech, Obama transferred his speech’s core to those people who devoted themselves to the development of America. He said, “Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom”. He showed his respect for those risk-takers, doers, makers of things. Then, he used “For us, they…” three times to emphasize...