Obama speech -- for January 22nd, 2009

Watch Obama's inauguration speech either live (noon EST on January 20th), watch it after the fact online, or read the transcript from his inauguration speech. Don't just consign yourself to watching three twenty-second clips that the media decides are important.

Write a short reflection on Obama's speech. The following are a few questions which may help you define your thoughts:

• How did Obama's rhetoric attempt to unite a divided country?
• What were the dynamics of the rhetorical situation? How did Obama show an awareness of his audience?
  
• What specific appeals did Obama employ? (ethos, pathos, logos)
• What sort of promises did Obama make? How specific were they? How did he frame them?
  
• What was Obama's overall persuasive goal?
  

Note 1: Don't just answer the questions, choose one or something similar and explore your thoughts in greater depth.
Note 2: Make sure to give specific examples--don't remain stuck in vague generalities.
Note 3: Try to make a nonpartisan analysis. We don't care who you voted for--the goal is to be able to look critically at the words of our new president, a president who will affect all of us.

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