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Rhetorical Analysis Of Rfk's Speech

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RFK used various rhetorical devices to calm down and control the population of Indianapolis. During his speech he connected with his audience. He encouraged and motivated the audience to act. Lastly, RFK continues and conveys MLK’s vision. RFK connected with his audience as a way to prove he’s on their side. RFK assured, “I can also feel in my own heart the same kind of feeling.” RFK outright told the audience he can relate to their grief. RFK continued, “I had a member of my family killed, but he was killed by a white man.” Similar to MLK’s death, JFK was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald, a white man. This use of logos and ethos showed the audience how RFK could really understand how this affected them, because he had already experienced it. Throughout the speech, RFK refers to everyone as, “we”. He doesn’t separate himself, he considers himself an equal to his audience as a more friendly and inviting way to speak. Throughout RFK’s speech, he communicates that he is 100% with the audience. RFK doesn’t let MLK’s visions and ideologies die with him. Robert said,”Martin Luther King …show more content…

RFK said, ”But we have to make an effort in the United States. We have to make an effort to understand, to get beyond, or go beyond these rather difficult times.” RFK wants the audience to make an effort to stop the situation in the United States. He also relates to MLK gain by saying, ”what we need in the United States is not violence and lawlessness, but is love, and wisdom, and compassion.” RFK wants people to act with peace, and love. He doesn’t want them to ruin everything that MLK has worked for by falling to riots and violence. Finally, RFK ends with,”So I ask you tonight to return home, to say a prayer for the family of Martin Luther King...a prayer for understanding and that compassion of which I spoke.” RFK asks his audience to pray. He inspires them to remain calm, and stay

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