Critique of a Speech or Presentation (or editorial - Essay Example

This paper shall talk of how Obama manipulates his audience, or attempts to do so, through trying to confuse their view and hide the violence that his government and previous governments have done upon the nations which have been the targets of affirmative action. Previous instances of governmental actions shall be discussed in the paper as well. Obama begins his address by attempting an appeal to the emotions of the audience and also those who would get to know of it later. An appeal is thus made to the pathos of the listeners and the public of the United States of America.

This appeal of pathos can be seen right towards the beginning of his speech, where he says, I would like to begin today by telling you about an American named Chris Stevens.. Chris Stevens loved his work. He took pride in the country he served, and saw dignity in the people he met. Two weeks ago, he travelled to Benghazi to review plans to establish a new cultural center and modernize a hospital. Thats when Americas compound came under attack. Along with three of his colleagues, Chris was killed in the city he helped to save (Obama).

An appeal to the pathos and emotions of the audience in the United Nations and the people of America is understandable when one thinks of Obama’s position within the world of American politics. At a point of time that is close to the presidential elections, Obama attempts to make himself look like a person whom the common man of America can identify with is important. This is significant, especially if one takes into account the image that Barack Obama tries to project of himself- a man with a happy family life who has overcome racial problems to rise to the highest office in America and yet hasn’t lost touch with the lower sections of American society.

All of these are appeals to the rhetoric of pathos that has always been a part of oratory. Continuing in the same strain in an attempt to appeal to