Obama 9/11 speech Analysis
How does Obama persuade the audience that the killing of Osama bin Laden was legitimate?
Obama’s purpose of the speech is to persuade the audience that the killing of Osama bin Laden was legitimate. To do this, Obama has to appeal to all of his audiences, but particularly towards the American citizens because they were the people who were affected most by 9/11. Obama also targets his speech at al Queda as well as other terrorist groups to convey the actions he will take to keep his American people safe from harm. Obama uses passionate imagery, pathos and persuasion to justify the killing of bin Laden. Towards the end of the speech, Obama’s intention is to persuade his audience into thinking assassinating bin Laden on the soil of another nation was justifiable.
During the speech, Obama’s use of poignant imagery pulls upon the heart strings of his target audience in particular those affected by 9/11, which could be argued is all American’s. An example of Obama manipulating the audience into sympathising with his actions is the image of the “the empty seat at the dinner table”. Stating this Obama invokes another powerful emotion from the audience, that emotion is anger. When saying this, Obama implies that the rubble and dirt can be cleared away however the pain cannot, it shall stay and stick in the heads of the victim’s families. Additionally, this phrase is a play on words as it shows that not only will there be an “empty seat” where families are together, there will be an “empty” heart of the victim’s families. The “dinner table” is a place where the family meet and enjoy time together but when a family member is missing, it can’t go unnoticed. Furthermore, Obama knows that the dinner table is a very communal place which, not only can the victims in New York relate to, but, to people everywhere around the world. With this powerful image, many people would think that this is revenge and that bin Laden had received recompense. This may also convey that the
Obama’s purpose of the speech is to persuade the audience that the killing of Osama bin Laden was legitimate. To do this, Obama has to appeal to all of his audiences, but particularly towards the American citizens because they were the people who were affected most by 9/11. Obama also targets his speech at al Queda as well as other terrorist groups to convey the actions he will take to keep his American people safe from harm. Obama uses passionate imagery, pathos and persuasion to justify the killing of bin Laden. Towards the end of the speech, Obama’s intention is to persuade his audience into thinking assassinating bin Laden on the soil of another nation was justifiable.
During the speech, Obama’s use of poignant imagery pulls upon the heart strings of his target audience in particular those affected by 9/11, which could be argued is all American’s. An example of Obama manipulating the audience into sympathising with his actions is the image of the “the empty seat at the dinner table”. Stating this Obama invokes another powerful emotion from the audience, that emotion is anger. When saying this, Obama implies that the rubble and dirt can be cleared away however the pain cannot, it shall stay and stick in the heads of the victim’s families. Additionally, this phrase is a play on words as it shows that not only will there be an “empty seat” where families are together, there will be an “empty” heart of the victim’s families. The “dinner table” is a place where the family meet and enjoy time together but when a family member is missing, it can’t go unnoticed. Furthermore, Obama knows that the dinner table is a very communal place which, not only can the victims in New York relate to, but, to people everywhere around the world. With this powerful image, many people would think that this is revenge and that bin Laden had received recompense. This may also convey that the