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Anirudh Venkatesan - Rhetorical Analysis Questions

The speech by Former President Barack Obama honors Rosa Parks and aims to inspire American citizens to confront injustice. Obama establishes credibility by referencing his own civil rights efforts and evokes emotion through the struggles of the Montgomery Bus Boycott participants. He uses logical reasoning to connect individual acts of defiance to broader societal changes, while employing rhetorical devices like anaphora and scripture allusions to emphasize personal responsibility and moral awakening.

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13 views2 pages

Anirudh Venkatesan - Rhetorical Analysis Questions

The speech by Former President Barack Obama honors Rosa Parks and aims to inspire American citizens to confront injustice. Obama establishes credibility by referencing his own civil rights efforts and evokes emotion through the struggles of the Montgomery Bus Boycott participants. He uses logical reasoning to connect individual acts of defiance to broader societal changes, while employing rhetorical devices like anaphora and scripture allusions to emphasize personal responsibility and moral awakening.

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anirudhv131
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© © All Rights Reserved
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After reading the attached speech by Obama, answer the following questions.

Answers should
be in full sentences but do not need to be more than a few sentences.

1.​ Who is the author/speaker, and what is their background or credibility?

The speaker is Former President Barack Obama, an African American male. His position
speaks for itself; as a well-respected president of the nation, he has a huge influence on
citizens and their beliefs.

2.​ What is the purpose of the text or speech?

The purpose of this speech is to honor Rosa Parks for her perseverance and to inspire
others to stand up against injustice.

3.​ Who is the intended audience, and how do we know this?

The intended audience is American citizens, as Obama speaks directly to them,


encouraging them to reflect on their responsibilities in promoting justice. We know this
because he addresses them in the second person, using phrases like "we" and "our,"
and calls for collective action

4.​ How does the author establish credibility (ethos)? Give a specific example.

Obama establishes credibility by referencing Rosa Parks' significant role in history and
his own efforts to promote civil rights as president. His connection to the Civil Rights
Movement through his policies and speeches lends authority to his words.

5.​ How does the author evoke an emotional response (pathos)? Give a specific example.

Obama evokes emotion by describing the struggles of those who participated in the
Montgomery Bus Boycott, focusing on their sacrifices and determination. He appeals to
the audience's sense of empathy and justice, drawing a vivid picture of the challenges
faced by the movement.

6.​ How does the author use logic or reason (logos) to persuade the audience? Give a
specific example.

Obama uses logos by explaining how Rosa Parks' act of defiance led to the successful
desegregation of buses in Montgomery and sparked a larger movement. His logical
argument connects individual actions to broader societal changes, demonstrating the
power of collective resistance.

7.​ What rhetorical devices does the author use (provide at least 2)? How do these devices
contribute to the text’s purpose?
Obama uses anaphora, repeating the phrase "we see" to emphasize the need for
personal responsibility in recognizing injustice. He also alludes to scripture to convey the
idea that people often fail to see the truth of injustice, urging a moral awakening.

8.​ How does the author use tone, diction, or style?

Obama uses a respectful and inspiring tone, with formal but accessible diction to engage
a wide audience. His style is reflective, encouraging the audience to consider both the
past and their role in shaping the future of justice.

9.​ How does the author organize their argument or message?

The speech is organized in a way that first recounts Rosa Parks' pivotal moment, then
expands to discuss the larger impact of the Civil Rights Movement. Obama builds his
argument by connecting historical events to contemporary issues of racial inequality

10.​What is the historical, cultural, or social context of the text? How does this affect the
rhetorical choices made by the author?​

The speech is delivered in the context of ongoing racial inequality in America, which
influences Obama's rhetorical choices to emphasize the importance of continued
activism. His call to action is shaped by the recognition that, despite progress, the fight
for equality is ongoing.

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