1. Rhetorical Devices Used by Speakers and Writers
Rhetorical devices are the nuts and bolts of speech and writing; the parts that make a communication work. Separately, each part of is meaningless, but once put together they create a powerful effect on the listener/reader.

2. Parallelism
Writing structures that are grammatically parallel helps the reader understand the points better because they flow more smoothly.
If there is anyone out there who still doubts…who still wonders…who still questions

3. Hypophora
A common technique is to start a speech with a hypophora, in which the speaker first asks a question and then answers it.
In Obama’s speech, the word answer is used regularly as an obvious signpost of the speaker’s intention to give his audience answers. The questions, however, are implied here.

4. Repetition
Repetition can be effective in creating a sense of structure and power. In both speech and literature, repeating small phrases can ingrain an idea in the minds of the audience.
Yes, we can, to opportunity and prosperity. Yes, we can heal this nation. Yes, we can repair this world. Yes, we can.

5. Juxtaposition the act of positioning close together
Obama talks about the “not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers”
The juxtaposition of “bitter cold” and “scorching heat” stresses the extreme conditions in which people campaigned for Obama, convincing the audience of their dedication

6. Antithesis
A figure of speech in which sharply contrasting ideas are juxtaposed in a balanced or parallel phrase or grammatical structure
Obama is famous for having said “There are no red states or blue states. There are only the United States of America.”
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way." (Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities)

7. Figurative speech
People like to think in metaphors. The image of bending the arc of history up towards hope is powerful. Figurative speech tends to work best when set off by concrete images.
“the arc of history with the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston”

8. Allusion
By using allusion, you not only associate yourself with the ideas of the original text but also create a bond with the audience by evoking share knowledge
The words government of the people, by the people, and for the people are lifted from the “Gettysburg Address”

9. Rhetorical & Persuasive Appeals
Ethos—appeal to ethics; asks the reader/listener to look favorably on the writer/speaker; stresses the writer/speaker’s intelligence, competence, fairness, morality, and other qualities desirable in a trustworthy leader.
--“I promise you, we as a people will get there.”
--“But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation . . .”

10. Relies on Ethos… HOW?

11. Rhetorical & Persuasive Appeals
Logos—rational appeal; asks the readers to use their intellects and powers of reasoning. It relies on established conventions of logic and evidence.
--Can you find any use of logos in this speech?

12. Logos… Why?

13. Rhetorical & Persuasive Appeals
Pathos—an emotional appeal; asks readers to respond out of their beliefs, values, or feelings. It inspires, affirms, frightens, angers.
--“Tonight we proved one more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.”
--“Yes we can.”
--“So tonight, let us ask ourselves—if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what changes will they see? What progress will we have made?”

14. Pathos… Why?

15. 9/11 Speech To Whom is Bush Speaking? What is his aim?
How would you characterize Bush after his speech? How does he convince you of his competence?
Identify and analyze rhetorical devices – repetition, word choice, call to action, etc
What is the intended effect of the statement “Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings… They acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of the American resolve?
Bush knew that other leaders would read this speech. What might he have been trying to convince them of?
What was Bush’s purpose in juxtaposing “The very worse of human nature” with “the best of America”?
Identify any places that utilize pathos, logos, or ethos

16. Your turn…
What do all extremist groups have in common?