House Divided Analysis
Aaron, Josh, Teddy, and Charles
Abraham Lincoln truly demonstrates his masterful skill as a politician and as a rhetor in this speech. He begins the speech with a statement of crisis, in order to bring gravity to the situation, and capture the attention of all those listening. By bringing it up, and describing the situation in depth, he places himself in a position of savior, in which he has a proposed solution that will fix the crisis, and bring good. He uses such conviction in his statements, with cadences and stress upon words, that those against him, though they may disagree, are captivated by his every word, and at the very least admire his determination. Respect breeds understanding, and understanding breeds cooperation. Lincoln clearly understood this. "I do not expect the Union to be dissolved -- I do not expect the house to fall -- but I do expect it will cease to be divided." The very opposite occurred, but Lincoln's conviction, and his determination were apparent to all, and many actually believed him. No presidential candidate promises there to be war during his or her office, but Lincoln was able to convince his peers and at least half the nation that he would bring peace, when he actually participated in the bloodiest war in human history.
A false dilemma is presented almost as soon as he begins his speech: "It will become all one thing or all the other." Despite the obvious fallacy, though, it was worded in such a way that the audience believes him. He leaves no doubt, and says it with complete conviction, laying stress on the word "all" so as to illustrate the gravity of what he is saying. He plays upon the fears of the audience. He is well aware that he is surrounded by Northern Democrats, the majority of them abolitionists or at the very least disapproving of slavery. So he presents a scenario that places the South in a position of threatening disposition. He claims that either slavery will be eradicated, or it will infect the entire nation. He claims that he wishes to keep the nation together, but at the same time, he is planting seeds of fear and of anger into one side of the fight, so that the nation is divided even more. But he makes it appear as if he has not done this, but rather stated something that is obvious, factual, and logically sound. These northern men are now united under a common goal: fear and hate towards the South and the possible inclinations that slavery has. Instead of trying to unite them for him, he rather unites them against an enemy. And thus, he has complete control over them, but appears only as a mere demonstrator, as someone who has shown them the unveiled truth.
He utilizes logic by providing specific examples of this new threat, such as the Dred Scott case. By providing specific examples, those who had still doubted his words were provided with proof, and the fear sprouts in each of their minds, for they now contemplate other instances that may be proof. Thus, they find proof in that which may not even be proof, and a spiraling effect is created in which each man convinces himself of what Lincoln had previously asserted. He mocks his enemies, pointing out their flaws and mistakes. But instead of just pointing out the mistakes of others, he also provides a solution. Employing a campaign of credibility and ethos, he both makes his enemies appear weaker, and makes himself appear stronger, tipping the scales heavily in his favor. He does all of this without sounding pretentious, or jaded, and makes insinuations in such a subtle way that he is never accused of mudslinging.
Lincoln skillfully uses context in his arguments, using national events, such as the Dred Scott case and the events in Kansas and Nebraska to both play upon the fears of those present and provide logical data for many of his arguments, such as his assertion that slavery could only diminish or spread. He points out the flaws in certain national decisions, and praises others, all the while improving his standing and degrading the standing of others. Overall, Lincoln demonstrates that he has a sly and masterful tongue, and is able to convince even those who doubt him that his views are both logical and sound. He is a powerful rhetor, utilizing every tool of persuasion he has, and is a ruthless politician.
Abraham Lincoln truly demonstrates his masterful skill as a politician and as a rhetor in this speech. He begins the speech with a statement of crisis, in order to bring gravity to the situation, and capture the attention of all those listening. By bringing it up, and describing the situation in depth, he places himself in a position of savior, in which he has a proposed solution that will fix the crisis, and bring good. He uses such conviction in his statements, with cadences and stress upon words, that those against him, though they may disagree, are captivated by his every word, and at the very least admire his determination. Respect breeds understanding, and understanding breeds cooperation. Lincoln clearly understood this. "I do not expect the Union to be dissolved -- I do not expect the house to fall -- but I do expect it will cease to be divided." The very opposite occurred, but Lincoln's conviction, and his determination were apparent to all, and many actually believed him. No presidential candidate promises there to be war during his or her office, but Lincoln was able to convince his peers and at least half the nation that he would bring peace, when he actually participated in the bloodiest war in human history.
A false dilemma is presented almost as soon as he begins his speech: "It will become all one thing or all the other." Despite the obvious fallacy, though, it was worded in such a way that the audience believes him. He leaves no doubt, and says it with complete conviction, laying stress on the word "all" so as to illustrate the gravity of what he is saying. He plays upon the fears of the audience. He is well aware that he is surrounded by Northern Democrats, the majority of them abolitionists or at the very least disapproving of slavery. So he presents a scenario that places the South in a position of threatening disposition. He claims that either slavery will be eradicated, or it will infect the entire nation. He claims that he wishes to keep the nation together, but at the same time, he is planting seeds of fear and of anger into one side of the fight, so that the nation is divided even more. But he makes it appear as if he has not done this, but rather stated something that is obvious, factual, and logically sound. These northern men are now united under a common goal: fear and hate towards the South and the possible inclinations that slavery has. Instead of trying to unite them for him, he rather unites them against an enemy. And thus, he has complete control over them, but appears only as a mere demonstrator, as someone who has shown them the unveiled truth.
He utilizes logic by providing specific examples of this new threat, such as the Dred Scott case. By providing specific examples, those who had still doubted his words were provided with proof, and the fear sprouts in each of their minds, for they now contemplate other instances that may be proof. Thus, they find proof in that which may not even be proof, and a spiraling effect is created in which each man convinces himself of what Lincoln had previously asserted. He mocks his enemies, pointing out their flaws and mistakes. But instead of just pointing out the mistakes of others, he also provides a solution. Employing a campaign of credibility and ethos, he both makes his enemies appear weaker, and makes himself appear stronger, tipping the scales heavily in his favor. He does all of this without sounding pretentious, or jaded, and makes insinuations in such a subtle way that he is never accused of mudslinging.
Lincoln skillfully uses context in his arguments, using national events, such as the Dred Scott case and the events in Kansas and Nebraska to both play upon the fears of those present and provide logical data for many of his arguments, such as his assertion that slavery could only diminish or spread. He points out the flaws in certain national decisions, and praises others, all the while improving his standing and degrading the standing of others. Overall, Lincoln demonstrates that he has a sly and masterful tongue, and is able to convince even those who doubt him that his views are both logical and sound. He is a powerful rhetor, utilizing every tool of persuasion he has, and is a ruthless politician.
Song: "We Will Pray"
Charles Kenney, Hailey Hendricks, Aaron Force
"Buddy you're a child of God believe
messing around, gonna sin some day
you gotta put faith in God
or else!
Singin'
We will we will worship him!
We will we will worship him!
Buddy you're a man of God be righteous
Sining in the street,
You got sins in your soul
Your faith is dull
Sining all over the place
Singin'
We will we will worship him!
We will we will worship him!
Buddy you're a old man, faithless man
You need God in your life!
Gods watching over you
You need to repent
Godless men all over the place
Singin'
We will we will worship him!
We will we will worship him!
"Buddy you're a child of God believe
messing around, gonna sin some day
you gotta put faith in God
or else!
Singin'
We will we will worship him!
We will we will worship him!
Buddy you're a man of God be righteous
Sining in the street,
You got sins in your soul
Your faith is dull
Sining all over the place
Singin'
We will we will worship him!
We will we will worship him!
Buddy you're a old man, faithless man
You need God in your life!
Gods watching over you
You need to repent
Godless men all over the place
Singin'
We will we will worship him!
We will we will worship him!
Mass Hysteria Project
Aaron Force, Cole Frederick, & Dylan King
Link to video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Exp7hzPp0Ek#t=18
Link to video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Exp7hzPp0Ek#t=18
Presidential Address: The Islamic State
Charles Kenney & Aaron Force
Speaker: Barack Obama
Audience: People of America
Topic: Plan of attack on the ISIS / ISIL, as well as resolving the situation in general.
Rhetorical Situation: The president is justifying his actions, and plans of flying jets over to attack the Islamic State. He is establishing his ethos as a leader and commander-in-chief by listing past accomplishments, and further comforting the American people with pathos. He is making sure that the American people have an accurate understanding on how serious of an immediate threat the Islamic state poses.
Speaker: Barack Obama
Audience: People of America
Topic: Plan of attack on the ISIS / ISIL, as well as resolving the situation in general.
Rhetorical Situation: The president is justifying his actions, and plans of flying jets over to attack the Islamic State. He is establishing his ethos as a leader and commander-in-chief by listing past accomplishments, and further comforting the American people with pathos. He is making sure that the American people have an accurate understanding on how serious of an immediate threat the Islamic state poses.