State Of The Union Address Ethos Pathos Logos

Beginning on January 8, 1790, the State of the Union Address has performed as one of the most informative and effective ways for the President of the United States to address members of congress with future plans, past reflections, and current achievements.The State of the Union address for 2018 was given on January 30 by President Donald J Trump. In every speech given a strong use of some sort of rhetorical appeal is used, whether it be ethos, pathos, logos, or multiple. Focusing on the starting portion of President Trump's Union Address he begins to describe the achievements of his administration over the year that he has been in office. When defining these successes he also takes the time to acknowledge several people who have showed heroism

Pathos can be defined as the use of emotion to persuade, therefore by illustrating these acts of bravery by American Citizens during times of crisis he is intriguing his audience and helping them to perhaps make emotional connections to what he is going to say. By beginning with Ethos he is preparing whom he is addressing to have a larger dedication and understanding for what he will say during the rest of his address. An example of this is when President Trump states, "In the aftermath of that terrible shooting, we came together, not as Republicans or Democrats, but as representatives of the people. But it is not enough to come together only in times of tragedy. Tonight, I call upon all of us to set aside our differences, to seek out common ground, and to summon the unity we need to deliver for the people. This is really the key. These are the people we were elected to serve." This quote proves how Trump outlines heroics based off of tragedy to help people more willing to listen to what he says about both political parties coming together in union. As Trump speech continues he maintains a use of pathos but also begins to move into the appeal of