Speech Analysis: Part 2

Obama's speech has many Rhetorical devices and much of his speech includes Anecdotes, Cause of effect and chaiasmus. These rhetorical devices can be used to draw in the audiences attention, and to better connect to the audience. As a speaker, Obama can effectively speak to an audience and has plenty of charisma. Rhetorical devices also help, him send the right kind of message to the American people and the world.



Obama uses plenty of personal stories (anecdotes) to illustrate a point to the American people primarily or even the rest of the world. One example of this is when Obama spoke of Ann Nixon Cooper, who was a 106 years old. "She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the colour of her skin." He also speaks of his campaign professionals who have helped him. "To my campaign manager David Plouffe, the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best political campaign in the history of the United States of America. My chief strategist David Axelrod, who has been a partner with me every step of the way, and to the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics - you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done."



The president elect also uses, cause and effect when he says, "There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for their child's college education. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair." In this case, he is referring to the need to make some major changes in America. Obama wants to make it clear to the American people, of what results can come out of a certain course of action taken, and what changes will come about.



Repetition is also used in Obama's speech, when he imposes the point about rebuilding America and starting off fresh. "I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for 221 years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand." d This particular part of his speech is meant to get Americans motivated about rebuilding their country and taking a stand. The repetition would get the message across effectively.



Chiasmus is another element used in Obama's speech, one example of this is when he talks about America's image to the world. "For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow." In this section, he is addressing the world and the American people, and ensuring that America can change for the good and not be known as a bad country internationally.



In combination with a variety of Rhetorical devices, Obama can premote hope and send a strong message to the world and the American people. Each Rhetorical device has its individual effects. Anecdotes, connect to people on a more personal level and help people understand the circumstances some have to go through. Cause and effect helps the audience understand, what are the possible outcomes from a certain course of action. Chiasmus, which is crisscrossing of words, helps people think in a thoughtful way and provides words of wisdom. Repition helps get the message across by repeating certain words and the statement becomes even more powerful.