During Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign he addressed a live audience in New Hampshire. His ‘Yes We Can’ speech was acknowledged as a rhetorical masterpiece and one of the greatest political presentations. Obama used a variety of verbal and nonverbal techniques to persuade voters that he could guide a positive and enduring change. Verbal techniques such as repetition, anaphora, pronouns and the rule of threes aided his portrayal of a prospering America under his leadership. Nonverbal techniques including eye contact, facial expressions, hand gestures and pace and tone reinforced his ability to connect with an audience. The speech contributed to Obama’s successful campaign in becoming the 44th President of the United States.
Obama contained repetition in his speech to emphasis key ideas. He included repetition of the motto, ‘yes we can’ to bolster his idealistic outlook on America. Throughout his speech Obama particularly used the rhetorical device and form of repetition called anaphora. Anaphora is a form of repetition where a sequence …show more content…
Similar to forms of repetition this technique uses a series of three to emphasize a point. An extract of this technique is, “There is something happening when…” a statement which was repeated in three consecutive sentences. This device was included with the purpose of further reinforcing the message of a positive future for America. The rule of three is an additional rhetorical device used by Obama to persuade voters.
Distinctive nonverbal techniques employed by Obama strengthened his portrayal of a successful persuasive speech. His ability to maintain constant eye contact with the audience represented a genuine message, which contributed to gaining the trust of voters. This presentation technique gave Obama the additional advantage of being able to sweep his eye contact across the entire audience, enthralling the whole arena. Through the use
Obama contained repetition in his speech to emphasis key ideas. He included repetition of the motto, ‘yes we can’ to bolster his idealistic outlook on America. Throughout his speech Obama particularly used the rhetorical device and form of repetition called anaphora. Anaphora is a form of repetition where a sequence …show more content…
Similar to forms of repetition this technique uses a series of three to emphasize a point. An extract of this technique is, “There is something happening when…” a statement which was repeated in three consecutive sentences. This device was included with the purpose of further reinforcing the message of a positive future for America. The rule of three is an additional rhetorical device used by Obama to persuade voters.
Distinctive nonverbal techniques employed by Obama strengthened his portrayal of a successful persuasive speech. His ability to maintain constant eye contact with the audience represented a genuine message, which contributed to gaining the trust of voters. This presentation technique gave Obama the additional advantage of being able to sweep his eye contact across the entire audience, enthralling the whole arena. Through the use