Obama

In Obama’s Inauguration speech, he uses ethos to connect to his audience, and show his and the countries character and morality. First off, he says “We, the people” repeatedly, which is an important phrase for our country. He also says “together” multiple times, which shows the character of our country, and its history. These little phrases are just a start to the language Obama uses to craft ethos in his speech.

            Obama uses images to craft ethos into his speech as well. “We are true to our creed when a little girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the same chance to succeed as anybody else, because she is an American, she is free, and she is equal, not just in the eyes of God but also in our own.” This image is a hopeful and beautiful image. It shows the morality of America, and everything that it does for its people. Obama shows his character by showing his care and understanding for everyone of the country, no matter what background.

            Obama uses body language constantly throughout the speech. He is always looking around at people, clearly not reading whatever he has prepared to say. This shows his character, it shows that he cares that he is actually getting the message across, not just saying the words. You can just tell by the way he uses emphasis on words that he has so much emotion and energy, so much hope and love for this country. Obama uses body language to show ethos in his speech, and the country reacts to it in a way that shows he really connects with them.

“Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law – for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.” Obama uses ethos to get this allusion across. The quote, referencing the gay marriage laws, is about love and equality, and shows that he is for being equal when it comes to love, no matter who you love. Obama shows he cares for the community, and shows his morality towards them by using this allusion.

Obama uses ethos in his speech, which really helps him get his point across, that he is here to help this country, he loves this country, and that he proud to be inaugurated. He never says this directly, but through the ethos he uses in his speech, we, the people, can tell.