Forty-four times during the two hundred and forty year History of the United States of America, Presidents have delivered their first election victory speech. Although some presidents serve multiple terms, the first term’s victory speech marks a change of political and national leadership. Unlike victory speeches of the past, the 44th speech marked a national milestone in the election of Sen. Barack Obama as the first African-American President. The social and political climate at the time of his election could be interpreted as pestilential. As the newly elected President of the United States, then Senator Obama faced the challenge of commemorating the historical significance of his election, stating the need to heal a divided nation,
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Historical significance is given to the moment as it partially reverses centuries of racial division and political bigotry. Beyond the historically based illustriousness, existed a sense of fear and uncertainty in a subsection of the electorate that required reduction. Uncertainty reduction through identification and substance served as the rhetorical methods, by way of narration. Mr. Obama recounted the story of Anne Nixon Cooper who was a voter from Atlanta, GA and was 106 years old at the time of the election. Her life story spanned the previous 108 years of American history; to which her witness attests to the anaphora of “Yes We Can”. …show more content…
Quelling the fears that were created by electoral rhetoric established the basis for cognitive reconciliation.
America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves -- if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
The use of “America” as the address and “we”, Mr Obama cast himself peer and America as the dramatistic agent in this pentomic section of his speech. President Obama’s acceptance speech was a moment that will be forever engrained in my memory. Not because of my political affiliation but for the style, significance, tone and substance associated with Mr. Obama’s eloquent delivery. Analyzing this speech illuminated the sociological nature of political rhetoric. Thorough audience analysis is required so that the speech tone and substance acknowledges the various political ideologies and social stratum. By understanding audience concerns and the momentous nature of the moment, President Obama struck the appropriate cord in delivery, tone, and
Historical significance is given to the moment as it partially reverses centuries of racial division and political bigotry. Beyond the historically based illustriousness, existed a sense of fear and uncertainty in a subsection of the electorate that required reduction. Uncertainty reduction through identification and substance served as the rhetorical methods, by way of narration. Mr. Obama recounted the story of Anne Nixon Cooper who was a voter from Atlanta, GA and was 106 years old at the time of the election. Her life story spanned the previous 108 years of American history; to which her witness attests to the anaphora of “Yes We Can”. …show more content…
Quelling the fears that were created by electoral rhetoric established the basis for cognitive reconciliation.
America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves -- if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
The use of “America” as the address and “we”, Mr Obama cast himself peer and America as the dramatistic agent in this pentomic section of his speech. President Obama’s acceptance speech was a moment that will be forever engrained in my memory. Not because of my political affiliation but for the style, significance, tone and substance associated with Mr. Obama’s eloquent delivery. Analyzing this speech illuminated the sociological nature of political rhetoric. Thorough audience analysis is required so that the speech tone and substance acknowledges the various political ideologies and social stratum. By understanding audience concerns and the momentous nature of the moment, President Obama struck the appropriate cord in delivery, tone, and