President Lyndon Baines Johnson gave his Address to Congress was given March 15, 1965. This was just a couple months after his second inauguration ceremony. This speech was given only a few days after state troopers swung clubs at people who were in a civil rights voting march in Selma, Alabama. On this “Bloody Sunday” Selma day there was tear gas that consumed the air. It is not a coincidence that the president gave his speech only eight days after the catastrophe of Selma. The purpose of LBJ’s speech was not only to make a statement on how everyone should be able to vote but also bring into light without directly saying it that what happened in Selma was unsettling. An extremely common rhetorical strategy is the use of “I” versus “we”. …show more content…
This is an allusion to what happened just the week before. Part of his persuasive technique is that he did not hesitate to bring this to congress after the incident in Selma. He only waited a week and gave direct action. This probably had an affect on the congressmen and women because the tragedy and brutality of Selma was still fresh in their mind. In the paragraph right after it offers the problem and solution all at once. His somber filled diction paints a picture for the congress of how corrupt it is to not give everyone a right to vote. This picture attributes to his pathos for the emotion appeal of guilt and justice. “For the cries of pain and the hymns and protests of oppressed people have summoned into convocation all the majesty of this great government”. The solution to the corruption is to act now and serve …show more content…
‘"What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"’ This is an allusion to the book of Matthew in the bible. The allusion to the bible appeals to all three of the appeals, pathos, logos, and ethos. It helps display his credibility because it displays his knowledge and read he is. If his congress happens to be christian or have a connection with the bible then this quote could of both a logical and emotional appeal. Not only does it make them think through this answer because it is a rhetorical question, if they believe in the bible they may have more of an emotional obligation to answer the question