In order to communicate with people effectively, people may need to resort to rhetorical devices that enable them to convey what they are trying to say in a powerful way. On March 4th, 1933, Franklin Delano Roosevelt gave his First Inaugural Address to the American people as he became the thirty second president of the United States. In his address, Roosevelt used a variety of rhetorical devices to inform the people that the Great Depression would be overcome through his leadership and decision making. To end the dangers of the Great Depression, President Roosevelt requested that the people grant him extensive executive power, as the level of authority he was seeking was not typically given to the president. In an attempt to gain the audience's
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For example, Roosevelt says “This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. In such a spirit on my part and on yours we face our common difficulties”(1). Through the use of the phrases "speak the truth" and "the whole truth," Roosevelt shows how he is willing to be honest with Americans. Rather than downplaying the issues, Roosevelt emphasizes that he is ready to discuss the country's problems in an open way. Because Roosevelt places an emphasis on honesty, he is able to build the audience's belief that he is a man of character whom they can trust. Also, Roosevelt uses the phrase "our common difficulties" to show how he understands what citizens are going through because he is experiencing the same hardships. This use of language helps Americans feel as though they can relate to him, thereby building a sense of community which will lead the people to trust his leadership.Thanks to Roosevelt's use of language that demonstrates his honesty and shared suffering with Americans, he builds the audience's trust in his ability to lead them out of this troubling time. Moreover, Roosevelt employs ethos because he knows that people tend to not trust politicians. In doing so, he is able to prove to his audience that he is not a corrupt politician but rather a moral man who will fix America's economic problems in an ethical
For example, Roosevelt says “This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. In such a spirit on my part and on yours we face our common difficulties”(1). Through the use of the phrases "speak the truth" and "the whole truth," Roosevelt shows how he is willing to be honest with Americans. Rather than downplaying the issues, Roosevelt emphasizes that he is ready to discuss the country's problems in an open way. Because Roosevelt places an emphasis on honesty, he is able to build the audience's belief that he is a man of character whom they can trust. Also, Roosevelt uses the phrase "our common difficulties" to show how he understands what citizens are going through because he is experiencing the same hardships. This use of language helps Americans feel as though they can relate to him, thereby building a sense of community which will lead the people to trust his leadership.Thanks to Roosevelt's use of language that demonstrates his honesty and shared suffering with Americans, he builds the audience's trust in his ability to lead them out of this troubling time. Moreover, Roosevelt employs ethos because he knows that people tend to not trust politicians. In doing so, he is able to prove to his audience that he is not a corrupt politician but rather a moral man who will fix America's economic problems in an ethical