Rhetorical Analysis Of Motivational Speech By Woodrow Wilson

Woodrow Wilson, the president of the United States that served time during World War I, gave an inspirational and motivational speech that addresses the problems and solutions to the war and future wars to come. He utilizes forms of rhetorical choices to assert his point and cause, some of these rhetorical choices are tone, pathos, and the fallacy known as a circular argument. These rhetorical strategies assist in the cause and importance of each point that is made. Within each solution and cause that Wilson addresses he sets a tone of priority and confidence. In the first section of his said program, he explains that “diplomacy shall proceed always frankly and in the public view” (Wilson 1). The use of the word “shall” leads the listener to infer that it isn’t as high in priority by setting the said tone. Another example is in section four as Wilson presents that the “national armaments will be reduced to the lowest point consistent with domestic safety” (Wilson 1). The use of the phrase “will be” expresses that the speaker, Wilson, is confident in assuring that the statement will happen, that it is definite that it is going to happen. With the reassuring tone, the audience, Congress, will have a

In section seven, Wilson, explains that “Belgium, the whole world will agree, must be evacuated and restored” which further implies the importance or significance of the cause (Wilson 2). His phrase “the whole world will agree” reaches out to those who may not agree and creates a pool of guilt within them. This phrase indirectly states to opposers that “everyone but you agrees with me”, this establishes residing guilt which further changes their opinion and eventually they will side with Wilson’s cause. This rhetorical usage essentially creates a strong change in others’ ideals or opinions for the better of Wilson’s