Critique Assignment: Barack Obama’s 2012 Speech Accepting the Democratic Nomination for President

Elizabeth Heinz

Robert LaBarge

ENG 102

January 28^th, 2013

Critique Assignment: Barack Obama’s 2012 Speech Accepting the Democratic Nomination for President

            “Rhetoric…To which poetry would be made subsequent, or indeed rather precedent, as being less subtle and fine, but more simple, sensuous and passionate.” (Milton, John) The use of rhetoric can be found everywhere, from song lyrics to novels to public speeches.  In President Barak Obama’s acceptance speech at the Democratic Convention for the 2012 election season, a well presentation of rhetoric is displayed, qualifying the piece as worthy to be placed in the chapter explaining and teaching “Well Made Arguments.”

            The first sign of a well-made argument is when credibility is built by the author, or in this case a speaker.  This can be done in many ways, and the first sign of it in this piece is in the very beginning.  President Obama begins by thanking the public and addressing his family members and his partners in his efforts.  By doing this, President Obama makes it clear to his audience that he is not taking the prize that is the cause for the speech for granted. The audience is likely to perceive this as appreciation for them, making them more like to listen to him and trust him as a speaker. 

            Another way that President Obama built credibility with his audience was by discussing the accomplishments he made during the first four years of his presidency.  He named four of such accomplishments: That the government created half a million jobs from 2009 to 2012, that the government added new standards and advancements to fuel usage, that the government opened billions of acres of land for use to explore for more oil and gas refineries, and that the government was able to work together with the Armed Forces to end military involvement overseas.  By revisiting these accomplishments President Obama makes his readers attach to his words and trusting him in that he can follow through with his claims.

            The last way that President Obama builds trust and credibility with his audience is by after stating accomplishments that he achieved by following through with previous promises, he makes more promises.  He makes two new promises: creating more jobs and producing more opportunities for clean fuel through solar and wind energies.  By making promises, the audience then clings to the President’s words and stays connected to his message, hoping for similar results to what he has previously reported to producing. 

            The way that these points of ethos were placed allowed for the argument of President Obama to be voted for President again after now receiving the nomination for president from the Democratic Party to flow easily into a place where the audience can be easily swayed using emotion.  The reader has so far been convinced that President Obama is true to his claim by his show of respect, this proof of promise, and continued promise.  Now that the listener is left in a position where they are wanting more, their emotions are easily swayed. 

            The first pull of emotional appeal comes when the President tells a story that applies to his family and to the current times for all Americans.  This story makes all people relate to him, furthering his connection to the audience.  He pulls the audience even closer by discussing his plans to achieve higher goals of success in areas that are close to the public’s heart, such as education and military involvement. 

            The last, but prevalent, emotional appeal that President Obama uses is humor. The President chides at the opposing party and makes references to everyday life that make the audience respond with laughter.  The event of this speech is a celebration after all, so the audience is not looking for all seriousness from the President, but for a lighthearted message. The sporadic inlets of comedic relief keep the reader that much more attached to the President’s message. 

            The constant draw of the reader to the message given by Mr. President Barak Obama at the Democratic Convention in response to the reception of the nomination as the Democratic representative in the 2012 election is a perfect showcase of good rhetoric.  The arguments made were made in such a way that the audience was constantly given proof and evidence as to why they should believe the President’s statements and were further swayed by the emotional attachment formed by his words.  There would be no reason that this piece would not be qualified to represent good rhetoric.