Miranda Richards
Ms. Keck
Composition 1/A2
29 November 2014
What is an American? Harold L. Ickes, Secretary of the Interior for President Franklin D. Roosevelt, delivered an impactful speech that reminded Americans what it means to be an American. This speech was delivered during I am an American Day in New York City’s Central Park on May 18, 1941. At this time Adolf Hitler and the Nazis had control over many countries and seemed to be heading toward world domination. At this time, many Americans did not understand why the United States needed to get involved with the war. Because of this, Ickes mainly used logos and pathos. He used ethos as well. Harold L. Ickes’ speech “What is an American?” was impactful and significant. He reminded Americans …show more content…
He played on the patriotism of the audience. The audience already was had pride in their country, which made Ickes’ speech even more effective. He also used concrete language. He told the Americans what they needed to do in order to protect their country. He discussed what would happen to the country and to the world if the United States did not get involved in the war. In paragraph 11 to 13, he stated, “If we are to retain our own freedom, we must do everything within our power to aid Britain…because we cannot live in this world alone, without friends and without allies.” This quote was significant because he specifically told the Americans why the United States needed to be involved in the war. Another quote from his speech was in paragraph 8 where he specifically stated what it means to be an American. The quote said that it is not the race or money that defines and American; it is the never ending fight for their freedom and “whose heart is engraved in the immortal second sentence of the Declaration of Independence.” This is important because it shows how much Americans care about their country and that they will always be willing to fight to protect their freedom. In the last paragraph, he tells the Americans what needs to be done. He stated, “We will help brave England drive back the hordes from Hell…and then we will join for the destruction of savage and blood-thirsty dicatators …show more content…
He used a claim and a reason in almost every paragraph. The reason in most of them was that Americans need to support the war in order to protect their freedom. Paragraph 23 was a prime example of logos. He talked about how Americans have always helped out in the previous wars and how the Americans will never give up their fight for freedom. In paragraph 33, he says “Not only will we fight for democracy, we will make it more worth fighting for…we will work for the good of mankind…so that all may have plenty and security.” This quote was a good example of why the United States should help in the war. He states that it will be a good deed to do rather than bad as many Americans perceive the wars. His claim was the United States needs to help our allies defeat the Nazis. The reason was to protect the freedom, country, and democracy for both Britain and the United
Ms. Keck
Composition 1/A2
29 November 2014
What is an American? Harold L. Ickes, Secretary of the Interior for President Franklin D. Roosevelt, delivered an impactful speech that reminded Americans what it means to be an American. This speech was delivered during I am an American Day in New York City’s Central Park on May 18, 1941. At this time Adolf Hitler and the Nazis had control over many countries and seemed to be heading toward world domination. At this time, many Americans did not understand why the United States needed to get involved with the war. Because of this, Ickes mainly used logos and pathos. He used ethos as well. Harold L. Ickes’ speech “What is an American?” was impactful and significant. He reminded Americans …show more content…
He played on the patriotism of the audience. The audience already was had pride in their country, which made Ickes’ speech even more effective. He also used concrete language. He told the Americans what they needed to do in order to protect their country. He discussed what would happen to the country and to the world if the United States did not get involved in the war. In paragraph 11 to 13, he stated, “If we are to retain our own freedom, we must do everything within our power to aid Britain…because we cannot live in this world alone, without friends and without allies.” This quote was significant because he specifically told the Americans why the United States needed to be involved in the war. Another quote from his speech was in paragraph 8 where he specifically stated what it means to be an American. The quote said that it is not the race or money that defines and American; it is the never ending fight for their freedom and “whose heart is engraved in the immortal second sentence of the Declaration of Independence.” This is important because it shows how much Americans care about their country and that they will always be willing to fight to protect their freedom. In the last paragraph, he tells the Americans what needs to be done. He stated, “We will help brave England drive back the hordes from Hell…and then we will join for the destruction of savage and blood-thirsty dicatators …show more content…
He used a claim and a reason in almost every paragraph. The reason in most of them was that Americans need to support the war in order to protect their freedom. Paragraph 23 was a prime example of logos. He talked about how Americans have always helped out in the previous wars and how the Americans will never give up their fight for freedom. In paragraph 33, he says “Not only will we fight for democracy, we will make it more worth fighting for…we will work for the good of mankind…so that all may have plenty and security.” This quote was a good example of why the United States should help in the war. He states that it will be a good deed to do rather than bad as many Americans perceive the wars. His claim was the United States needs to help our allies defeat the Nazis. The reason was to protect the freedom, country, and democracy for both Britain and the United