Rhetorical Analysis Of The Speech Of Harold Ickes

Decent Essays
I chosen the speech of Harold Ickes, What is an American? which he delivered at the I am an American Day gathering in New York’s Central Park. The purpose was to address a growing question of many American people if it was necessary to join the war against Adolf Hitler. He claims that as American we must fight in the war for freedom and the idealism of democracy. Once Hitler claims the world, America will not be able to stand forever against the endless resources at his control. Stand together with our allies or be caught standing alone and left to be enslaved.
Ethos is addressed by asking questions and pointing out what the Nazis has said and rebuking from saying like, “wave of the future”.
Pathos was calling on the American people are democratic, strong men and women that are more than any color or race, but “one who loves justice and believes in the dignity of man.”
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I believe he mainly used toulmin mainly due to the fact he was bias the entire way through the speech. He does not show common ground or support it with any scholarly research. It is mostly a persuasive speech. “Americans have always known how to fight for their rights and their way of life. Americans are not afraid to fight.” This comment is general, could be backed up however is not. Exclaiming, “This is why this war is not an ordinary war. It is not a conflict for markets or territories. It is a desperate struggle for the possession of the souls of men.” Is to raise the spirit of the country to

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