Obama's Speech: Examining Ethos, Credibility, and Persuasive Elements

This essay provides a detailed analysis of a speech by Barack Obama, focusing on the persuasive elements of ethos, credibility, and emotional appeal. It addresses questions related to how Obama establishes trust with his audience, demonstrates competence, and connects with their values and emotions. The analysis covers Obama's use of language, body language, and rhetorical devices, particularly the repetition of "hope," to create a sense of unity and inspire the audience. The essay concludes that Obama's natural oratory skills and ability to connect his personal story to the larger American narrative contribute to his effectiveness as a persuasive speaker. Desklib provides students access to similar solved assignments and study resources.

Running Head: RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS ON OBAMA’S SPEECH
Response to questions on Obama’s speech
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS ON OBAMA’S SPEECH
Table of Contents
Response to Question 1..............................................................................................................2
Response to Question 2..............................................................................................................2
Response to Question 3..............................................................................................................2
Response to Question 4..............................................................................................................3
Response to Question 5..............................................................................................................3
Response to Question 6..............................................................................................................3
Response to Question 7..............................................................................................................4
Works Cited...........................................................................................................................5

2RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS ON OBAMA’S SPEECH
Response to Question 1
Ethos is defined as the persuasive appeal that determines whether a speaker appeals to
the listener’s trust as well as their desire to listen to a speaker who is credible (YouTube). To
further simplify, ethos can be defined as a quality that helps understand whether or not a
speaker is inspiring the audience as well as whether he or she is being taken as someone who
is believable. Hence Ethos is a part of the two other aspects of Logos, and Pathos that are
important to understand and implement while trying to persuade any audience.
Response to Question 2
Credibility consists of some of the most important elements that the audience looks
for in a speaker- competence, character (trustworthiness), and goodwill (YouTube). Since
these aspects determine what is known as credibility, it also becomes the measuring scale
which is required to deliver a persuasive speech. Since credibility is associated with the
above stated factors, it is important to inculcate all these values by showing competence, and
being honest. Lastly, it is also important to show the audience that the speaker cares about the
wellbeing of the people (YouTube).
Response to Question 3
As James C. McCroskey implied, in order to establish credibility, it is necessary to
show competence, trustworthiness, and goodwill for people in general. In order to put these
qualities into action, it can be said that in order to inculcate competence, one can talk about
some aspects of his or her education, experience, and background- something that helps
people put in their trust in the speaker (YouTube). Secondly, it is always important to be
honest and be specific about the facts and informations shared along with their accurateness.
Lastly, caring about people is one of the basic building blocks that infer a speaker as

3RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS ON OBAMA’S SPEECH
competent. Competent speakers always treat people around them with respect and
friendliness (YouTube).
Response to Question 4
Obama in his speech appeals to the emotion by making his story fit into the larger
narrative of the American society. Precisely he does so by beginning to addresses his humble
background that he is in full acknowledgement of, and moves on to the dream that was not
just unique to his own, but was conceived by his parents- regarding the growth of the United
States as a nation(THNKR). Furthermore, by appealing to needs, he addresses facts that he
intends to change regarding child literacy, healthcare. By talking about the critics and those
who are actively planning to divide the country in terms of race, ethnicity and skin colour, he
acknowledges their presence and establishes his goals that are set higher than the petty and
foul play of politics. He thrusts on his vision of striving for the United States of America
instead of the divisive party politics that was tearing the country apart. He appeals to values
by upholding the American individualism along with the commonness that ties all Americans
in the same thread (THNKR).
Response to Question 5
Obama’s choice of language is free from any jargon that make him easy to understand
by all. Moreover, he clearly knows the importance of pauses in between dialogues, and
allows the pause to take place on its own (THNKR). He also allows the audience their time to
show their appreciation.
Response to Question 6
From the very entry, it is very evident that Obama is a natural orator who has the
knowledge that makes him persuasive while addressing each and every issues that needs his
attention. The constant movement of his hands are very balanced and natural that render him

4RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS ON OBAMA’S SPEECH
to be energetic yet not distractive (THNKR). Towards the end of the video, he waves to the
audience with Michelle Obama beside him and it is also evident to the audience that he
clearly knows how to treat women right.
Response to Question 7
“Hope” was used ten times in the video- however, the repetition did not seem to be
repetition unless someone has the aim to count the number of utterances. Instead it creates a
sense of hope in the audience- the people of the United States of America to take the country
to its heights (THNKR).

5RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS ON OBAMA’S SPEECH
Works Cited
THNKR. The Speech That Made Obama President. 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=OFPwDe22CoY. Accessed 22 Mar 2020.
YouTube. What Is Ethos?. 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61iDVn14XjU.
Accessed 22 Mar 2020.