As Jefferson wrote each eloquent word, its apparent that he was proud of what his fellow Americans had accomplished. Fitting with The Declaration of Independence, I chose Thomas Jefferson as my historical figure. I believe he embodies all that pride is, from his freedom fighting, right down to his appearance. Jefferson, intelligent and elegant, never stopped fighting for the rights that he knew every man had proudly deserved. Thomas Jefferson once said, “Action will delineate and define you.” Pride in your actions, pride in your words, and pride in yourself all make for real success and Thomas Jefferson knew, and lived with that mindset.
In his speech, well-known white American abolitionist Wendell Phillips praises the noteworthy accomplishments of Haitian general Toussaint-Louverture, the most powerful leader in Haiti, that have been disregarded. He evidently had a keenness for the man, for his praise borders on outright astonishment for him. Phillips' purpose is to lionize Louverture and bring light to his remarkable deeds. He constructs an admiring tone in order to communicate with his readers the idea of equal importance among all historical figures and does so by using historical allusions. Phillips begins his commemorative speech by acknowledging Napoleon and Washington, two honorable people of history.
The Battle of Gettysburg is said to be the turning point of the Civil War. The intent behind Lincoln’s speech was to dedicate a plot of land that would become a National Cemetery to honor fallen soldiers. Also Lincoln realized that the war was still in full force, and he needed to inspire people. Thus another reason for writing the Gettysburg Address. The Gettysburg Address had major significance to the people of the United States.
President Kennedy opens his speech by establishing credibility, “For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.” He personalizes his speech in looking forward to the future while using the past as an example, adding that the same innovated views that our ancestors fought are still a concern around the globe and that our rights of man come from the hand of God, not the kindness of the state. Kennedy reminds his fellow Americans that we are the successors of the first revolt and that we must move forward as the new generation of Americans. The president emphasizes our human rights and encourages Americans to defend our freedom because it is a gift from God. Kennedy then exhorts, “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” (19) President Kennedy pledges to veteran allies
Safire discusses how Lincoln used the “Declaration of Independence when stating “that all men are created equal” (Safire 42). Safire continues discussing this same idea in the eighth paragraph to highlight his argument about the image of birth with the wording of the beginning of the “Declaration of Independence.” Safire also discusses how Lincoln, like many other speechwriters, employ other great speakers into their speeches when discussing how Lincoln used Reverend Theodore Parker’s words in the conclusion of his speech, but that “Lincoln, . . ., dropped the ‘alls’ and made the phrase his own” (43). Wood also analyzes Obama’s use of references in his election night speech.
Obama stated, “The people make it possible” and “people give me hope” while Romney also said that the “strength of America is based on its communities and people”. President Obama wants people to believe that with him America will be heading towards a good future and Mitt Romney wants to restore the promise of America. Obama and Romney stressed that with their plans, America will succeed. These two men also took time in their speeches to thank the “older” generation and all of those who have died for the rights and freedoms Americans enjoy now. There were only a few topics that Obama and Romney had similar ideas about and those were the use of renewable energy and education.
In this paper, Danial’s thesis seems to be clear on what he is going to write about. Danial is explaining how citizenship can save America through Barber; the author. He points out some strong statements where he is able to back up it up. As Danial explained ”Every nation in the world looked at America with admiration and not only did they respect America, but they believed in the leadership offered by America. The leadership did not come from the government however; it came from hard working citizens who were more concerned about the well being of their nation than their own lives” (2).
Gettysburg address by Lincoln and funeral oration by Pericles is the two of the famous speeches in the history. In my point of view both speeches have the same meaning because both speeches were conveyed to honor those troops who had died or got injured in battles. Also Lincoln dedicated monument for the resting place for troops and people who died during wars. I really enjoyed reading both of these speeches. As result, I concluded giving honor and respect to troops and their families was the main purpose of both speeches.
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speech I Have a Dream on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963 celebrating the centennial of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation remains one of his most intelligent and poetic speeches in the American mind. It succeeded at accomplishing this by a dynamically synthesized use of communication techniques while seeking to avoid division, as well as making potentially offensive judgments against a country where black men and women were still segregated. His accomplishment is in inducing the listener to not only participate in his dream, but remember it forever, long after the militant days of civil unrest were over. His knowledge of pathos, logos and other rhetorical techniques served King well. Keith D. Miller writes that King's impetus for carefully designing the speech was determined when he was asked to give it in front of 250,000 people at the monument, as well as to having it televised and sent over radio channels.
“The Almighty has his own purposes, woe unto the worth.” Lincoln stays away from choosing words that would be sensitive to the north and south. Lincoln uses hopeful and unifying diction to make the country whole and not two separate parts. Throughout his speech he uses “we” and “us” to show unity and. He tells the citizens “To care for, for him who shall have borne the battle for his widow and his orphan.” Lincoln tired to include both sides to show unity and appeal across to the Union and Confederacy. Lincoln ends his inaugural speech with, “To do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.” He wants to unite the North and South to be one again.