Introduction
Rhetoric, the art of persuasive communication, encompasses various elements that help to analyze speeches effectively. This essay undertakes a rhetorical analysis of President Barack Obama’s speech, delivered immediately after the death of Osama bin Laden, by examining the elements of the rhetorical situation: occasion, audience, speaker, and speech. This analysis delves into how the speech addressed specific exigences, the impact of the setting on its reception, the addressed audiences and their treatment, the establishment of ethos by the speaker, and the language choices that enhanced the overall impact.
Occasion: Addressing Exigences and Problem Solving
President Obama’s speech on May 1, 2011, following the death of Osama bin Laden, was a response to a significant exigence—the need to inform the American people and the world about this momentous event. The primary exigence was to provide confirmation of bin Laden’s death and offer some insight into the operation that led to it. By confirming the death and providing key details of the operation, President Obama effectively addressed this exigence while also acknowledging the broader problem of terrorism, thus highlighting the significance of this event in the context of solving the problem of terrorism (NewsHour, 2011).
Setting: Impact on Reception
The East Room of the White House served as the setting for President Obama’s speech, a location synonymous with historic presidential announcements. This setting imbued the occasion with gravitas and underscored its significance. Additionally, the choice of the White House as the backdrop conveyed a sense of control and reassurance, fostering confidence in the American people. This controlled environment also facilitated the careful management of the message, ensuring that the exigence was addressed with the appropriate level of detail and solemnity.
Audience: Addressing Multiple Audiences
President Obama’s speech had several target audiences, each with unique concerns and expectations. The primary audience was the American people, who sought reassurance and closure after years of searching for bin Laden. President Obama addressed them by confirming the death and emphasizing the importance of this event in safeguarding American national security. He further acknowledged the pain and suffering caused by bin Laden and terrorism, connecting with the audience on a human level, which provided comfort and reinforced the idea that justice had been served.
The international community was another critical audience, and President Obama acknowledged their concerns by highlighting the global nature of the fight against terrorism. This approach aimed to build international support and solidarity in the ongoing struggle against terrorism.
Speaker: Establishing Ethos
In this speech, President Obama established ethos, the appeal to credibility and trustworthiness, through several means. Firstly, he drew on his role as Commander-in-Chief, emphasizing his responsibility for national security. This position automatically conferred authority and credibility to his words. Secondly, President Obama exhibited empathy and emotional resonance, acknowledging the pain and suffering caused by bin Laden and terrorism, which made him relatable and trustworthy. Lastly, the tone of the speech was measured and non-partisan, avoiding overtly political statements, further enhancing his ethos as a leader addressing a national, and indeed, global, issue.
Speech: Language Choices for Enhancement
President Obama’s language choices in this speech were carefully crafted to enhance its impact. He employed a mix of ethos, pathos, and logos to appeal to the audience’s emotions, ethics, and logic.
In terms of pathos, he used evocative language to convey the significance of the event, calling it a “historic” and “momentous achievement.” He also used inclusive language, saying “we” instead of “I,” creating a sense of unity and shared purpose. Incorporating logos, President Obama provided a concise account of the operation without revealing classified information. This allowed the audience to understand the gravity of the situation without compromising national security. Furthermore, he employed ethos through his measured and presidential tone. He avoided triumphalism, emphasizing that justice had been done and that the United States had acted with restraint and integrity (NewsHour, 2011).
Conclusion
President Barack Obama’s speech following the death of Osama bin Laden effectively addressed the exigences of the moment, took advantage of its setting to enhance reception, spoke to various audiences with empathy and recognition, established ethos through his role and demeanor, and used carefully chosen language to enhance the overall impact. This speech serves as an exemplary study of how rhetoric can be employed in addressing a significant and complex event, effectively communicating with diverse audiences while maintaining credibility and emotional resonance (NewsHour, 2011).
Reference
NewsHour, P. (2011). President obama announces osama bin laden killed in pakistan [Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbrwIE_GhrM
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