Pearl Harbor Speech Persuasive Essay

Violence might be the Answer

It has been precisely seventy-five years since the incident at Pearl Harbor. Japan dropped bombs on the naval base when Marine corporal E.C. Nightingale was aboard a ship. He recounts, “The explosion rips the ship’s sides open like a tin can starting a fire that engulfs the entire ship. Within minutes she sinks to the bottom taking 1,300 lives with her” (EyeWitness to History). The attack only lasted an hour, but the families of 2,340 military personnel and 48 civilians (NPS) were changed forever. In response to the brutality, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the United States, delivers his “Pearl Harbor Speech” claiming that Japan is the enemy of America. He strengthens his argument by harnessing the uses of diction, anaphora, and pathos. Roosevelt’s purpose is to convince Congress to declare war against Japan in order to defend the American people and their homes. Adopting a factual and urgent tone, Roosevelt reaches his

He declares, “Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands” (Roosevelt). By repeating “last night, Japanese forces attacked” then listing a place, he creates tension in the minds of the congressmen. They comprehend the amount of damage Japan inflicted upon multiple territories and they comprehend that their enemy has enough power to kill thousands. Roosevelt goes on to reveal that “This morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island,” (Roosevelt) proving that Japan shows no signs of stopping. Therefore, the audience speculates if any other part of the USA is in danger.!The president’s use of anaphora then an update of that morning’s attack go hand in hand to build Roosevelt’s factual, yet urgent tone.! By using anaphora and an update, Roosevelt is able to scare his audience and introduce a factual and urgent