Analysis of President Obama’s speech in Selma | Analyse

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In this analysis I will go through what characterises this speech, the rhetorical pentagram, the mode of persuasion and other rhetorical devices. I will also include the video of the speech when talking about non-verbal communication and lastly, I will make a conclusion.

On March 7th 2015 President Obama delivered a speech in Selma in to mark the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery Marches. The speech could both be considered as the epideictic speech but also the deliberative speech.

The speech marked the anniversary of the marches and was held in order to praise the people who initiated and participated in these marches, creating hope for the African-Americans at the time, and still to this day.

“It is a rare honour in this life to follow one of your heroes. And John Lewis is one of my heroes.” .

Already in the very beginning we see how this is an epideictic, as it is a tribute while at the same time common values are expressed, resulting in cohesion and aspirations for the future America.

Simultaneously I would argue that the speech gets somewhat political. “What’s our excuse today for not voting? How do we so casually discard the right for which so many fought?

How do we so fully give away our power, our voice, in shaping America’s future? Why are we pointing to somebody else when we could take the time just to go to the polling places?

We give away our power.” . Here President Obama talks about the lack of people willing to vote, making the purpose of the speech, not only to praise but also to disclose the importance of continuously fighting for equal rights by engaging in politics and voting in order to shape America’s future.