Rhetorical Analysis Of The American Promise

President Lyndon B. Johnson presented his speech ”The American Promise” to congress in 1965, following the events of the Selma to Montgomery Marches. rhetorical modes as allusions, diction, and others to convince congress to pass the Voting Act Right. The American Promise speech was about developing a community of shared values to unite the country and make it great again. Johnson’s speech focuses on the challenges America faced in the 1960s. He sympathized with the abuse African Americans face when voting, speaking to protect their right to vote and ban discriminatory practices.

Johnson utilizes an old historical allusion in his speech to exemplify traditional American patriotism using a quote from a founding father, Patrick Henry: ”Give me liberty or give me death”. Igniting a sense of patriotism inside the American public, he references a historical figure who is redeemed important helps him set an example for the American public to emulate. Probing a logical viewpoint

Repetition is used to echo themes throughout the speech. The repetition is used to highlight the urgency needed to support his argument that African Americans needed to have their vote. It is used in the last paragraphs of the speech to create a sense of urgency and activism by appealing to the reader’s emotions. ”We cannot, we must not, we will not.. we cannot and must not wait”. Repetition is used in the last paragraph of the speech to emphasize his claims of activism in the civil rights struggle, and to urge the American people to unify in the fight against racism and injustice. “There is no cause for pride… there is no cause for self-satisfaction… but there is cause for faith and hope”. The use of the word “we” enables the audience to unite against the lack of support they have received for their cause from the government. The word “we” resonates with the audience, making them feel a sense of solidarity with