At a time of political uncertainty and national vulnerability, Thomas Jefferson’s First Inaugural Address provided America with a unified identity and relinquished any fears held by the nation. Jefferson is widely celebrated for his lasting impacts on American history and although he is not identified with the names of illustrious rhetoricians; his first inaugural address continues to serve as the bed rock for American rhetoric. Jefferson provided America with the quintessential guidance and leadership needed during the formative time in American history. He gained the trust of the nation with his skilled use of language and rhetorical devices. During this critical time in history, it was through his strategic use of ethos that allowed him to connect to the audience and effectively deliver his message. Thomas Jefferson was born April 13, 1743 in Shadwell, Virginia. Jefferson received an exceptional education that began with boarding school at the age of 9. Jefferson showed an aptitude for literature specifically classical languages. He also attended the college of William and Mary where he studied a wide variety of classes including philosophy, mathematics, physics, literature, and rhetoric. Jefferson went on to …show more content…
Ethos is constructed when the audience perceives the speaker as credible and worth listening to. When a speaker is able to illustrate that they have the audience’s best interest in mind, the audience is more likely to accept the message. Ethos has three components to it; arête, phronesis, and eunoia. The translation of these three terms is virtue, intelligence, and goodwill. Ethos is best understood when all of the parts work as one. All three parts of the term must work in unison for this rhetorical device to be successful. It was Jefferson’s accurate use of ethos that allowed him to deliver his most successful and influential speech. (Garver