Neo-Aristotelian Criticism

Throughout his speech, President Obama uses mainly Inductive reasoning with his claims. He provides examples to back up his claims rather than concluding the audience already agrees.

Yes, the audience reaction and support throughout the speech show that at least the majority of those in attendance agreed with what the President said.

Neo-Aristotelian Criticism

Organization

Invention

Problem Solution order. He begins by talking about gas prices and the U.S. dependance on foreign oil, then solves the problem by speaking about alternative forms of energy and how they benefit the country.

ETHOS

President Barack Obama

LOGOS

He builds rapport with the audience by praising them and their accomplishments. He Identifies with them by speaking about issues that affect everyone of them, such as lowering the cost of fuel, increasing gas mileage in vehicles, creating jobs, and becoming independent as a nation. President Obama repeatedly talks about his track record when it comes to energy and oil, by showing the accomplishments that have taken place under his leadership.

President Obama frequently uses logical appeal for his claims. He sites percentages and dates that back up his position such as stating that the U.S. is drilling and producing more oil than ever before. He also notes that even though we are drilling at a higher rate, the U.S. is still only producing about 2% of the world’s oil, but we are using 20% of the world’s oil. He uses this to logically show that gas prices are not controlled by the U.S. and that we need to find other sources of energy to rely on instead of oil. He also states that since he took office that America’s dependance on foreign oil has gone down every year.

Claim

Language

Delivery

The speech is a blend of stately as well as common language. It tends to lean more towards the common though. The President responds to people shouting out things from the crowd, he jokes, and uses more of a laid back approach that seems to help him with his goal. By seeming more at ease and common it depicts the idea that he doesn’t seem fazed by the oil problem being blamed on him, and that the facts are plain and simply on his side for reaching the goals for America.

The speech shows a little bit of impromptu, but mainly it is from memory. This really plays in the Presidents favor because it doesn’t look rehearsed, fake, or like he is just reading something that was written for him. He spoke slowly and gave time for applause and reaction to help build energy for his main points.

PATHOS

The President is claiming that the recent high gas prices are not due to anything that is under his control, and that the Country needs to become less dependent on oil and focus on other cleaner and renewable sources of energy. This will increase jobs in America and lower the cost of energy.

President Obama praises the students and college for their efforts in contributing to energy efficiency in their community and America. He is building a sense of pride in them for their accomplishments and wants them to feel good about their being educated as well. This puts the audience a position where they are more receptive to what the President is going to say to them and makes them feel more informed and willing to share with others what the Presidents message is. (This is what President Obama wants)

Was the Intended Effect Met

Audience

Prince George Community College in Maryland

American public in general

Stockholm

(cc) photo by Metro Centric on Flickr

(cc) photo by jimmyharris on Flickr

Budapest

(cc) photo by Metro Centric on Flickr

San Francisco

(cc) photo by Franco Folini on Flickr

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