Rhetorical Analysis Proposal

Rhetorical Analysis Proposal

            Of the four speeches concerning religion and politics, I have chosen to more deeply analyze Barack Obama’s speech on faith and politics, and John F. Kennedy’s speech on his religion.  There are many reasons why I chose these two, but the main one is their impressive use of rhetorical devices to persuade their audience (and me) to believe them.

            First of all, let’s talk about Obama’s speech.  Between the four, this one was my favorite.  Although it was the longest, it was the most drawing.  That was achieved through his use of numerous rhetorical devices and schemes.  One of the major tools he uses in his speech is his use of personal anecdotes.  He was speaking at a major conference in Washington D.C., a place where people are very familiar with politician’s tactics to convince them.  However, the way that Obama used his personal stories was quite different from the norm: he shared stories that at least in a way, insulted him.  Especially in his first story, when he uses the phrase, “Jesus Christ would not vote for Barack Obama.”  I believe his use of personal anecdotes was very effective for his audience because 1) He caught the audience off guard, doing something they weren’t expecting, therefore drawing them in more, and 2) showing his personal weaknesses and relating himself even more to his audience.  Another tactic employed by Obama is his use of statistics.  Stats are very pleasing to the public in general, because they help us understand exactly what the speaker is talking about, and how they (the audience) fits in exactly into the situation. 

            John F. Kennedy’s speech was also quite superb. He understood his audience very well, and addressed the subject tenaciously.  From the very beginning, he used a rhetorical technique of making his audience see the bigger picture behind everything.  He stated that his religion really was the least important thing about his campaign, and they they shouldn’t worry about it.  I think it was highly effective because it makes his entire audience start to think from the very beginning of his speech about his religious topic, whether it really is all that important.  One other rhetorical device that JFK used was repetition.  His usage of the phrase, “I believe” at the beginning of multiple paragraphs helped him in his cause to defend himself on his political standing, and make people forget and not worry about his religion. It was effective in my opinion because it forced the audience to judge him on what he believed politically and as a person, and not was his religious beliefs were.

            Of the two speeches, Obama more effectively used rhetorical devices to help persuade his audience.  I believe this because along with stating his point very strongly like JFK, he also related to his audience in such a way that they would felt like they were walking in his shoes.  Whenever one can pull at the heart strings of their audience, it is very beneficial with regards to their argument.