Page 2: Historical Allusions and Reinforcing the Message

On the second page, Obama continues to build his argument for change by drawing parallels between his campaign and significant moments in American history. This approach serves to legitimize his cause and inspire his audience.

Obama alludes to the Declaration of Independence, suggesting that his campaign slogan "Yes we can" is rooted in the founding principles of the nation. This connection elevates the importance of his campaign to the level of a historic American document.

Definition: Allusion - A reference to a person, place, event, or other literary work that the author expects the reader to recognize.

The speech then references the struggle against slavery during the Civil War. As an African-American candidate, Obama uses this allusion to make his campaign particularly relevant to Black supporters, while also emphasizing the broader theme of overcoming oppression.

Quote: "Yes we can to justice and equality. Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity. Yes we can heal this nation. Yes we can repair this world. Yes we can."

Obama employs antithesis when describing the slaves' journey, contrasting "blazed a trail toward freedom" with "darkest of nights." This juxtaposition emphasizes the power of change to overcome adversity.

The speaker also alludes to the experiences of immigrants and pioneers during the westward expansion, highlighting their hopes and struggles against the "unforgiving wilderness." This reference serves to connect the audience's current challenges with the historical perseverance of their ancestors.

Highlight: Obama's final allusion mentions women gaining the right to vote, further emphasizing the theme of progress and change throughout American history.

By linking his campaign to these pivotal moments in American history, Obama presents his bid for presidency as the next logical step in the nation's ongoing journey towards progress and equality. The repeated use of "Yes we can" throughout these historical references reinforces the central message of hope and possibility that defines his speech analysis example.

Page 1: Persuasive Techniques and Call for Change

Barack Obama's speech begins with a clear objective: to persuade his audience that America needs change and that this change can only be achieved through unity and support for his presidency. He employs various rhetorical devices to convey this message effectively.

Obama starts by acknowledging Hillary Clinton before diving into the core of his speech. He uses anaphora, repeating the phrase "There is something happening when..." to emphasize the widespread desire for change across different demographics.

Example: "There is something happening when people who have never participated in politics turn out in numbers we've never seen before."

The speaker employs antithesis to contrast different groups, such as rich and poor, black and white, Latino and Asian. This technique underscores the idea that change is necessary regardless of one's background or social status.

Highlight: Obama's use of parallelism with the phrase "what's happening" reinforces the idea of a collective movement towards change.

In discussing how change will occur, Obama shifts to a more emotional tone, using pathos to appeal to the audience's feelings. He contrasts the current "dividing" and "distracting" state of America with an optimistic vision of the future.

Quote: "We are choosing hope over fear. We're choosing unity over division, and sending a powerful message that change is coming to America."

Obama uses metaphors to create vivid imagery of America's current problems. He refers to school corridors as "corridors of shame" and the fossil fuel industry as the "tyranny of oil," highlighting issues in education and energy that need addressing.

Vocabulary: Anaphora - The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.

The repeated use of "we will" and "we can" emphasizes the collective power of the people to enact change. Obama's campaign slogan, "Yes we can," is strategically repeated to make it memorable and reinforce the message of possibility.