Professor Ian Chubb's Address to National Press Club - Case Study Example

Rhetoric Analysis and Criticism Name Institution Date Rhetorical analysis and Criticism of Professor Ian Chubb’s Address to National Press Club Introduction The speech by Professor Ian Chubb to the National Press Club is about science. Professor Chubb gave this speech after his appointment as the Chief Scientist of Australia. The speech discusses about the importance of science in the world. The speech considers the view of people towards science and notes how science struggles to cut through into the mainstream debate unlike sports and celebrity news. The speech goes on to elaborate on the importance of investing in science. It dispels the notion that science is a cost. Through posing rhetorical questions to the audience regarding past investments in public research, it supports investment in science. The speech also highlights the significant past achievements Australia has made in research. This analysis will describe, contrast and compare the inventional strategies, stylistic features, organization, and appeals to memory in the speech by Professor Chubb. Inventional strategies Professor Chubb’s speech was given in a club environment whereby the main motive was to convince members of the press club of the importance of science and to focus on scientific matters in the news, as shown by the following words from his speech: “Now, if science is so important – you may well ask - why does it struggle to cut through into the mainstream debate?” Thus it is deliberative and the prime inventional strategies are through correlation. It includes precursor and result which are shown in the speech by stating what has been done in the past by scientists in the post war era and the results that have been accrued. As Endres (2008) states that inventional strategies should make images in the mind of the listener through visual rhetoric. This is depicted in the speech by sentences such as “Let me remind you.” which takes the listener back through time. The speech also uses comparison in its depiction of dismissal and proof of the importance of science (Wilder, 2012). This is shown by comparing Australia and countries such as Britain on the basis of their positions in the world agenda. Following the opening greetings, Professor Chubb defines the importance of science in the statement: “Science can cure diseases. It has given us GPS and mobile ‘phones, and it has given us the ‘talking movies’ and the internet.” Organization The speech consists of an introduction that is typically used to create the ethos. Professor Chubb’s ethos is created by alluding to his experience in the field of his topic, as observed in, “It’s a great pleasure to be with you today, for the fourth time, I believe, but this time in my new capacity as Australia’s Chief Scientist.” The speech is very focussed in orienting the thoughts and opinions of the audience towards science. By definition, it has a statement of facts. Professor Chubb refers to the commitment of the government of Australia to invest in science by stating, “We must encourage the Government to continue its commitment: it will reach nearly $9.4 billion this financial year and includes a record investment in CSIRO,” The speech provides proof for the statement of facts (Westwood & Linstead, 2001). It appeals to logos with facts from the past, for example, “They established the ANU as a research hub; they encouraged other universities and now Australian universities educate students in a research-rich environment and are major contributors to research and development an innovation.” Professor Chubb also utilises pathos through exuscitato by expressing feelings in expressions like, “I am here on behalf of science.” He uses ethos in the last paragraphs of the speech showing his practical knowledge by stating that, “I am here to help ensure the immense potential of science to create a better and more prosperous Australia is fully realised.” (Hoffman & Ford, 2009). Stylistic Features The use of stylistic features in the speech is examined with a concentration on political styles and qualities of style. Figures of speech, such as chiasmus, are used by Professor Chubb in statements such as: “I know that some of my best work won’t be visible – I have never known a government...” the speech shows correctness and clarity in that Professor Chubb speaks using the norms of language and speaks in a way that is understandable. This is done through use of short clear phrases like, “To tackle and overcome the challenges of our time – we need science.” Also, by the manner in which the language used reaches the emotions of the audience through vivid portrayals like, “As Chief Scientist I will speak up and be an advocate for science.” The above analysis shows how well Professor Chubb has used the virtues of style to engage with the audience (Lanham, 2003). He uses the Realist type of political style by his utilisation of plain speech and privileging of logos. The use of plain speech is shown in phrases such as, “The time has come to rekindle this type of excitement.” which plainly denotes its objective to get to the emotions of the audience and trigger an awakening. Logos represents the appeal to reason. He wishes that there is a level of scientific literacy at all levels in the community so that science can have an influence (Perales, 2010). Memory The speech has been analysed from written material, thus the speaker’s memorisation is not analysed. Hence, the Professor Chubb’s utilisation of memory in invention and its appeal to the audience is analysed. The speech uses testimony like, “Science is not always perfect and interpretations of observations are not always unanimously agreed. Except in some fields of the more theoretical kind, science won’t often ‘prove’ things.” as an invention strategy. The speech relies a lot on its structure so as to appeal to the memory of the audience (Duke, 1990). The speaker appeals to the memory of the audience through the conclusion whereby he outlines his vision for science and what he wants to do as chief scientist of Australia before finally repeating his opening statements on what it’s worth, “And for what it’s worth: The Swans were at $2.45 to win the flag – a couple of weeks ago and $24 after last weekend. Somebody was evicted from MasterChef last night. And Liz Hurley is now officially divorced, further fuelling speculation about her future with Mr Warne. With the exception perhaps of the Swans, these things don’t matter. Science does.” He also appeals to the audience through existing references to John Dawkins. The relation of the memory image to the speech is tightly linked (Garvin, 1983). Criticism The speech is very effective in its utilisation of the five canons, so as to depict the integral issues of the arguments of the speaker with regard to the importance of science: the persuasive use of logos, pathos, ethos, decorum and control of the stasis. On the exordium, Professor Chubb assures the audience of his experience and captures their attention by stating that he looks forward to the renewal of his membership. This creates a bond between him and the audience. He then goes on to outline circumstances and facts throughout the speech. The proof of the argument at hand regarding the importance of science is well outlined and emphasized through the use of examples such as Wi-Fi and vaccines. He discredits opposing views in his support of the importance of science by stating the demerits of disregarding science. The conclusion is well crafted as it specifically sends a message to members of the press to pay attention to matters regarding science in the news. The rhetorical techniques which comprise invention strategies, organization and the correct stylistic features are shown widely throughout the speech (Zarefsky, 1998). Professor Chubb runs the stasis very well in his organization of the speech. This is done especially through the use of division, whereby questions are posed to the audience. This helps the memory of the audience. The inventional and organizational schemes permit the skilful utilisation of ethos to present his arguments, logos to provide considerable proof that supports the refutations in the speech and which outline the basis for his proofs. The use of pathos in the speech is minimal but used appropriately to deliberate on the issues presented. Most of all, Professor Chubb’s speech shows organization which permits for the vital elements of the speech to be outlined in the last paragraphs as a recognition that science is important and that it should be reflected in the mainstream media (Simons 1990). Additionally, he uses the established norm, which is already in practice whereby celebrities and sports dominate the mainstream media, to pose their importance to the audience in support of the importance of science. This is done in the final phrase, “Science does.” The rhetorical skills of Professor Chubb make his speech very efficient in presenting his general argument regarding the importance of science. The speech captures the audience’s imagination, attention and concentration by going back through time, stating the milestones that have been accomplished and positioning them against the current preferences of the mainstream media to invoke a positive reaction from the media with regard to science. The speech is one that creates an image, an image stemming from the ability of Professor Chubb to question, answer, correctly and clearly use the virtues of style, and most importantly in his use of short understandable phrases. He has clearly outlined the purpose of the speech without any doubt in the minds of the audience and this helps to ensure that the message of the speech is well grasped for both the present and future purposes (Simons, 1990). References Duke, R. K. (1990). The Persuasive Appeal of the Chronicler: A Rhetorical Analysis. Continuum Endres, W. (2008). Rhetorical Invention in the Book of Kells: Image and Decoration on Their Flight to Meaning. ProQuest. Garvin,H. R. (1983). Rhetoric, Literature, and Interpretation. Bucknell University Press. Hoffman, M. F. & Ford, D. J. (2009). Organizational Rhetoric: Situations and Strategies. SAGE. Lanham, R. (2003). Analyzing Prose: Second Edition. Continuum. Perales, L. J. (2010). RHETORICAL ANALYSIS ON STYLE. Retrieved from . Simons, H. W. (1990). The Rhetorical Turn: Invention and Persuasion in the Conduct of Inquiry. University of Chicago Press. Westwood, R. I & Linstead, S. (2001). The Language of Organization. SAGE. Wilder, L. (2012). Rhetorical Strategies and Genre Conventions in Literary Studies: Teaching and Writing in the Disciplines. SIU Press. Zarefsky, D. (1998). The State of the Art in Public Address. Critical Dialogues on Significant Episodes in American Political Rhetoric, 22-23. Read More

listic Features The use of stylistic features in the speech is examined with a concentration on political styles and qualities of style. Figures of speech, such as chiasmus, are used by Professor Chubb in statements such as: “I know that some of my best work won’t be visible – I have never known a government.” the speech shows correctness and clarity in that Professor Chubb speaks using the norms of language and speaks in a way that is understandable. This is done through use of short clear phrases like, “To tackle and overcome the challenges of our time – we need science.

” Also, by the manner in which the language used reaches the emotions of the audience through vivid portrayals like, “As Chief Scientist I will speak up and be an advocate for science.” The above analysis shows how well Professor Chubb has used the virtues of style to engage with the audience (Lanham, 2003). He uses the Realist type of political style by his utilisation of plain speech and privileging of logos. The use of plain speech is shown in phrases such as, “The time has come to rekindle this type of excitement.

” which plainly denotes its objective to get to the emotions of the audience and trigger an awakening. Logos represents the appeal to reason. He wishes that there is a level of scientific literacy at all levels in the community so that science can have an influence (Perales, 2010). Memory The speech has been analysed from written material, thus the speaker’s memorisation is not analysed. Hence, the Professor Chubb’s utilisation of memory in invention and its appeal to the audience is analysed.

The speech uses testimony like, “Science is not always perfect and interpretations of observations are not always unanimously agreed. Except in some fields of the more theoretical kind, science won’t often ‘prove’ things.” as an invention strategy. The speech relies a lot on its structure so as to appeal to the memory of the audience (Duke, 1990). The speaker appeals to the memory of the audience through the conclusion whereby he outlines his vision for science and what he wants to do as chief scientist of Australia before finally repeating his opening statements on what it’s worth, “And for what it’s worth: The Swans were at $2.

45 to win the flag – a couple of weeks ago and $24 after last weekend. Somebody was evicted from MasterChef last night. And Liz Hurley is now officially divorced, further fuelling speculation about her future with Mr Warne. With the exception perhaps of the Swans, these things don’t matter. Science does.” He also appeals to the audience through existing references to John Dawkins. The relation of the memory image to the speech is tightly linked (Garvin, 1983). Criticism The speech is very effective in its utilisation of the five canons, so as to depict the integral issues of the arguments of the speaker with regard to the importance of science: the persuasive use of logos, pathos, ethos, decorum and control of the stasis.

On the exordium, Professor Chubb assures the audience of his experience and captures their attention by stating that he looks forward to the renewal of his membership. This creates a bond between him and the audience. He then goes on to outline circumstances and facts throughout the speech. The proof of the argument at hand regarding the importance of science is well outlined and emphasized through the use of examples such as Wi-Fi and vaccines. He discredits opposing views in his support of the importance of science by stating the demerits of disregarding science.

The conclusion is well crafted as it specifically sends a message to members of the press to pay attention to matters regarding science in the news. The rhetorical techniques which comprise invention strategies, organization and the correct stylistic features are shown widely throughout the speech (Zarefsky, 1998). Professor Chubb runs the stasis very well in his organization of the speech. This is done especially through the use of division, whereby questions are posed to the audience.

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