Sentence Assessment task

Rhetorical analysis
The African American community is also knowledgeable that there is a
history of racial disparities in the application of our criminal laws everything
from the death penalty to enforcement of our drug laws. Remarks made by
Barack Obama on Trayvon Martin

The incumbent president of the United States, Barack Obama uses influential
language in his every day. One sentence in particular will be analysed with an
emphasis on the rhetoric techniques he uses to convey his message in a desired
fashion. The above sentence was taken from a remark by Obama which voices out
the of discrimination in the justice system for many African Americans who have
received similar treatment in the legal system. Here Obama implies uses an active
voice in The African American community is also knowledgeable to establish a
strong direct stance on this issue whilst also implying unfairness and cases of unjust,
hoping to provide a spark for change. By using the term African American
community, Obama stresses his point as a collective, with his voice acting as a
representative for this community and simultaneously amplifying the seriousness of
his words to follow. Further by referring to the community he uses the concept of
pathos to gain sympathy from his audience, whilst also connecting to his African
American community. Whilst describing the unfair application of criminal law, Obama
describes this as everything from ....The word everything highlights the entirety of
discrimination in all criminal law, which is a further use of pathos. This contradicts the
pillars that the legal system is supposedly build on, with one of them being a fair
legal system. Obama as we know as a fellow African American uses neutral
language where the information is more important than anyones attitude towards it
and formal language to strengthen the ethos in his message. The words
knowledgeable and application are noble in nature to avoid any cultural bias that
might threaten his credibility. Thus, Obama has meticulously assembled his words to
convey his beliefs effectively whilst still maintaining integrity.

We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above
our interests and teach us what it means to be citizens Excerpt taken from
George w Bushs inaugural speech in 2001

George W Bush is a former president of America. When giving his inaugural speech
in front of thousands of people in 2001, his speech consisted heavily on national
pride and resolve as he attempted to re-assure a shaken public. The above
sentence was taken as an excerpt which captures the essence of the speech and will
be analysed with an emphasis on rhetorical language. In an attempt to reassert his
leadership and unite his audience, Bush starts the sentence with we. The inclusive
nature of the word we builds a connection to the audience and sets the tone for the
rest of the sentence. Further the active voice that follows uses pathos such as lift us
teach us used to build impact in his message, giving his audience inspiration.
Further, the repetition of us is used to further unite the audience and captivate them
to accomplish their dreams as a collective, similar to Obamas speech. The
parallelism in the arrangement of move uslift us.Teach us is employed to not
only add rhythmic fluidity but to build a climax in her argument which stands to have
the greatest impact on her audience if it is the last point that they want to hear
imploring the audience to teach us what it means to be citizens. Finally, the
hyperbole of what it means to be citizens suggests that Bush wants the audience to
become an idealistic citizen as a form of motivation which I believe is a use of ethos
as it implies a sense of superiority over his audience, to assert his leadership. Thus,
Bush has used many rhetoric techniques to not only unite his audience but to believe
in his leadership by motivating them to become ideal citizens.

Reflection
I have purposely chosen to explore sentences used by politicians because I have
always been curious about their selectiveness of rhetoric to satisfy their audience. I
chose Obamas discrimination sentence because as a minority, I can relate to his
concerns whilst also having an admiration for the way Barack presents himself. I
chose George Bushs statement as I have always held the notion that citizens across
the world have forgotten to think for themselves and are just swallowing what their
politicians are telling them instead of actually thinking for themselves, which is ironic
particularly in a democratic society. Both sentences employ heavy use of rhetoric to
persuade their audiences however distinctions can be made between the two
sentences and their desired effect. I believe Obamas sentence is a form of appeal to
the citizens of America. I have realised he takes the role of a passive informant,
limiting his bias in order to get his message in a non-obtrusive manner. Bush on the
other hand takes on the form as an inspiration through inclusive words to unite his
audience with his beliefs. Naturally for different intentions, uses of rhetoric will vary
however they do overlap as their ultimate goal is to persuade the audience.

Since persuasion so often implies the presence or threat of an adversary there is the
agonistic or competitive stress

Kenneth burke a rhetoric of motives

national pride and resolve as he attempted to re-assure a shaken public

Ken mandel Newsmax March 2015