A Rhetorical Analysis: Compare and Contrast the Rhetorical Appeals and
Techniques used in Obama’s Eulogy and Usher’s song “Chains”
President Barack Obama, in his eulogy for Reverend Pinckney delivers an emotional speech that left many in tears and inspired, inspired to make change. Obama’s speech was intended towards all citizens of the United States, especially the victimized families and people of South Carolina. During his eulogy, Obama praises the great man that Reverend Pinckney was and also elaborates on the issues that need to be acknowledged in America today, particularly racial bias and injustices (President Obama Delivers Eulogy 2015). President Obama assumes an expressive yet assertive tone towards the beginning of the speech in …show more content…
Though their techniques differ in terms of style, intended audience and use of concrete detail, Obama’s 2015 homage to South Carolina’s Reverend Pinckney, and Usher’s “Chains” relate towards one another by the use of ethos and pathos through repetition. I chose both of these significant artifacts due to the fact that they sparked lots of attention in the mass media- provoking different reactions from the people of America- and focus on themes that are …show more content…
Usher uses the analepsis device in his song meant mostly for emphasis; for example, “We still in Chains”, and “You put the shame on us.” His metaphors suggest that nothing has changed since the Civil Rights era and according to him, blacks are still not free hence why they’re still in restraints. It’s ironic how towards the middle of the song he calls for a “moment of silence” while all this shooting, and chaos in occurring. Obama uses a similar technique, using anaphora throughout the course of his eulogy. When honoring the victim, he describes him as “a good man… a man who… a man who… and a man who...” With the same motive as Usher, Obama repeats the word “grace” several times in his speech implying that hope, forgiveness and a better future for America is near. The emphasis of the word “grace” also foreshadows the ultimate “Amazing Grace” at the conclusion of his
Techniques used in Obama’s Eulogy and Usher’s song “Chains”
President Barack Obama, in his eulogy for Reverend Pinckney delivers an emotional speech that left many in tears and inspired, inspired to make change. Obama’s speech was intended towards all citizens of the United States, especially the victimized families and people of South Carolina. During his eulogy, Obama praises the great man that Reverend Pinckney was and also elaborates on the issues that need to be acknowledged in America today, particularly racial bias and injustices (President Obama Delivers Eulogy 2015). President Obama assumes an expressive yet assertive tone towards the beginning of the speech in …show more content…
Though their techniques differ in terms of style, intended audience and use of concrete detail, Obama’s 2015 homage to South Carolina’s Reverend Pinckney, and Usher’s “Chains” relate towards one another by the use of ethos and pathos through repetition. I chose both of these significant artifacts due to the fact that they sparked lots of attention in the mass media- provoking different reactions from the people of America- and focus on themes that are …show more content…
Usher uses the analepsis device in his song meant mostly for emphasis; for example, “We still in Chains”, and “You put the shame on us.” His metaphors suggest that nothing has changed since the Civil Rights era and according to him, blacks are still not free hence why they’re still in restraints. It’s ironic how towards the middle of the song he calls for a “moment of silence” while all this shooting, and chaos in occurring. Obama uses a similar technique, using anaphora throughout the course of his eulogy. When honoring the victim, he describes him as “a good man… a man who… a man who… and a man who...” With the same motive as Usher, Obama repeats the word “grace” several times in his speech implying that hope, forgiveness and a better future for America is near. The emphasis of the word “grace” also foreshadows the ultimate “Amazing Grace” at the conclusion of his