Jack Obama's Use Of Rhetoric
Just as dialectic allows an individual to examine both sides of a question, the Obama and Trump speeches regarding the Orlando shooting allow the audience to hear two opposing views and arguments regarding a situation. Although these speeches pertain to the same subject, they exhibit how differing uses of rhetoric can be used to persuade and achieve objectives
Aristotle viewed rhetoric as a true art or techne. Herrick tells us that a techne “produced social utility, much like government produced stability and peace in the city-state”. (p 72) We see rhetoric used in this way in President Obama’s speech. His statements are tactful and without allegation. When addressing the manner in which the shooting will be dealt with he states that “we will go where the facts lead us”.(##) This applies to the rhetorical …show more content…
(p 71) Both speeches began by discussing the devastation, sadness, and outrage caused by the event. Both speakers also shared common opinions of what ‘we’ as a nation needed to do as well. However, this is where the two similarities begin to differ and again show dialectic style opposing views of solution. Obama uses the techne of rhetoric again to evoke feelings of unity and remind the audience of how human the victims of the shooting were. This is done by talking about their lives, and the joy they brought to those who knew them. He then calls for the citizens of our nation to love one another, come together in solidarity and not give in to fear or turn against each other. Alternatively, Trump uses rhetoric as a means of instilling fear and anger by stating that “radical Islam is coming to our shores”(##). His solution to this is that “we need to respond to this attack on America as one united people – with force, purpose and determination.
Aristotle viewed rhetoric as a true art or techne. Herrick tells us that a techne “produced social utility, much like government produced stability and peace in the city-state”. (p 72) We see rhetoric used in this way in President Obama’s speech. His statements are tactful and without allegation. When addressing the manner in which the shooting will be dealt with he states that “we will go where the facts lead us”.(##) This applies to the rhetorical …show more content…
(p 71) Both speeches began by discussing the devastation, sadness, and outrage caused by the event. Both speakers also shared common opinions of what ‘we’ as a nation needed to do as well. However, this is where the two similarities begin to differ and again show dialectic style opposing views of solution. Obama uses the techne of rhetoric again to evoke feelings of unity and remind the audience of how human the victims of the shooting were. This is done by talking about their lives, and the joy they brought to those who knew them. He then calls for the citizens of our nation to love one another, come together in solidarity and not give in to fear or turn against each other. Alternatively, Trump uses rhetoric as a means of instilling fear and anger by stating that “radical Islam is coming to our shores”(##). His solution to this is that “we need to respond to this attack on America as one united people – with force, purpose and determination.