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Rhetorical Analysis Of A More Perfect Union

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Analyzing Barack Obama's "A More Perfect Union" Speech through the Five Canons of Rhetoric On March 18, 2008, then-presidential candidate Barack Obama delivered a speech titled "A More Perfect Union" in response to the controversy surrounding his former pastor's inflammatory remarks. The speech aimed to address the issue of race in America and promote unity among all citizens. Through an analysis of the five canons of rhetoric – invention, arrangement, style, memory, and delivery – this paper will examine how Obama used rhetorical strategies to effectively deliver his message. The first canon of rhetoric, invention, refers to the creation of persuasive arguments. In "A More Perfect Union," Obama used a variety of persuasive techniques to …show more content…

Obama's style in "A More Perfect Union" is characterized by his use of repetition and rhetorical questions. For example, he repeats the phrase "the audacity of hope" throughout the speech to emphasize the idea that even in difficult times, we must maintain hope for the future. He also asks rhetorical questions, such as "Will we reject cynicism, and embrace a spirit of unity?" to engage his audience and encourage them to reflect on their own beliefs. The fourth canon of rhetoric, memory, refers to the use of memorization techniques to aid in the delivery of a speech. While it is unclear whether Obama used any specific memorization techniques in "A More Perfect Union," his delivery suggests that he had a deep understanding of the speech's content. He speaks with conviction and sincerity, and his pacing and intonation are well-suited to the content of his message. The final canon of rhetoric, delivery, refers to the physical and vocal aspects of a speech. In "A More Perfect Union," Obama's delivery is calm and measured. He uses hand gestures and facial expressions to emphasize key points but never overdoes it. His voice is clear and authoritative but also has moments of warmth and

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