Epideictic And Deliberative Rhetoric

Argumentative Essay

Today rhetoric such as, epideictic and deliberative, is a part of language that is often given a negative connotation. It is usually perceived that corrupt politicians and sales persons use rhetoric in arguments to conceal the truth. In actuality, epideictic and deliberative appeal are rhetoric that should be seen as an important part of language. These kinds of rhetoric can help communicate ones point across and create something easily understood by the audience. Language is powerful and can be used to transform ideas and thoughts. Epideictic and deliberative appeal are useful tools that makes use of the power of language to more efficiently inform others of what we think, or persuade others of certain ideas. However,
Unlike deliberative rhetoric, which deals with persuasion and decision-making, epideictic rhetoric mainly aims at praise or blame. If speaking in terms of praise, the speaker will try to make the audience desire to know the man or object of such excellence after hearing the speech. But in terms of blame, the speaker attempts to make the audience know the man or object in order to avoid such evil. Aside from deliberative rhetoric, Roosevelt also utilizes epideictic appeal in his speech. In the opening of his speech, Roosevelt states "no matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory”(Roosevelt). Roosevelt employs epideictic rhetoric in this quote to give the American the citizens a feeling of confidence. By doing this, Roosevelt unites America under this feeling of needed triumph, and gives them incentive for revenge for the atrocities committed by Japan. Roosevelt continues to do this when he states “our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us” (Roosevelt). Again, Roosevelt uses epideictic rhetoric to make Pearl Harbor a day to remember. Roosevelt wants the American people to have this atrocity as a lasting impression of the crimes that Japan committed against America. Being able to recognize the attitude that should be felt towards Pearl Harbor was a crucial part of the unity that occurred during World War II in America. Roosevelt successfully used epideictic rhetoric to blame the empire of Japan for the terrors of Pearl Harbor, which lead to a national unity under one common enemy. When looking at speeches like President Roosevelt’s and Senator Taft’s, it is often argued that there is no need to be able to distinguish between the epideictic and deliberative rhetoric. Admittedly,