The inauguration address of a president has various objectives: articulating their future objectives, motivating the nation, and aiming for a long-lasting impact. President Obama’s speech, although it did not have iconic JFK moments, used a metaphor of “journey” and repeated the phrase “We, the people” to maintain its consistency. The president connected religion with the discussion on climate change, underscored the government’s function as a united entity representing the people, integrated gay rights into our societal principles, and indirectly alluded to gun control as a way to safeguard our children’s wellbeing.
Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States, made history by becoming the first African American to hold this prestigious position. His inauguration speech was a momentous occasion that captivated a wide audience and became one of the most important moments in American history. In his speech, Obama skillfully utilized rhetorical devices and appeals that resonated deeply with the American people. Notably, he employed pathos to recognize the struggles experienced by numerous individuals, such as losing their homes, jobs, and businesses.
This is important because it explains why Obama is motivated to improve the United States. This emotional appeal uses pathos. Another rhetorical appeal used by Obama is ethos. “I appreciate President Bush’s service to our country.” This demonstrates that Obama acknowledges and respects Bush’s contributions, but now it is Obama’s turn to lead. This appeal to ethos highlights Obama’s sense of respectfulness.
In this paragraph, President Obama utilizes rhetorical devices such as allusion, metaphor, and parallelism to deliver a powerful and memorable message. He alludes to the country’s founding documents by referencing Seneca Falls, Selma, and Stonewall, emphasizing the importance of equality. The purpose of employing these devices is not to draw attention to them or showcase cleverness, but rather to enhance the potency of the message. Obama’s use of metaphor is evident in his statement about forty-four Americans taking the presidential oath, symbolizing change. With these techniques, Obama effectively communicates his ideals.
The main point of this paper is that President Barack Obama made history as the first black president to ever take office in the United States. His speech was enhanced by a lot of rhetorical appeals and devices. In line with Obama’s typical style, his inaugural address effectively used rhetorical devices and figures of speech. He used metaphor to remind listeners that some inaugurations happened during “still waters,” while others happened in “raging storms.” Likewise, he talked about the “long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.”
Obama employed antithesis in order to emphasize the nation’s core principles when stating that our economy relies “not solely on the magnitude of our gross domestic product, but on the extent of our prosperity . . . .” He also utilized this literary device to caution global leaders that “your people will evaluate you based on your ability to construct, not on your capacity to demolish.” The speech proved to be both challenging and healing, as it reminded the audience of the hardships we face while urging us to confront these obstacles courageously. Furthermore, it fostered unity by embracing individuals from diverse backgrounds and religions within the United States and abroad.
