In his speech, President Barack Obama argues that Assad’s use of chemical weapons is against the accepted international norms, and that the United States must make diplomatic efforts with other international powers to pressure Assad to give up his weapons. Obama’s tone is serious and clear for his intended audience, the citizens of the United States of America.

President Obama makes use of the three appeals-pathos, ethos, and logos-in his speech. By beginning with the phrase, “My fellow Americans”, the president is establishing a sense of unity and trustworthiness in the audience, and is therefore demonstrating ethos. By recognizing the audience, President Obama is able to secure its interest in his speech, as well as soften up those who may not agree with him. Also, the fact that he is in the white house as the president causes the nation to hold a level of respect for him. The president also makes use of logos by supporting his argument with facts. For example, Obama says, “Over a hundred thousand people have been killed. Millions have fled the country” when referring to Syria. President Obama uses pathos to support his argument as well. “Men, women, children, lying in rows, killed by poison gas. Others foaming at the mouth, gasping for breath. A father clutching his dead children, imploring them to get up and walk.” These vividly horrible images serve to cause the emotional audience to despise the Assad regime, and to therefore support the president in his effort to pressure Assad to give up his chemical weapons.

The rhetorical situation is clear in this case. The argument fits into the world because it is current and relevant to today’s international politics. There exists exigence, since Assad is supposedly currently challenging valued American ideals, such as justice, freedom, and liberty. President Obama’s argument is based on the American value that one should seek to support the justice that he or she believes in, but it is also based on the more political fact that Assad’s use of chemical weapons defies the accepted international norms set by the United Nations as well as the prediction that if allowed to continue his use of chemical weapons, Assad will affect the security of the United States.

President Obama’s particular and professional word choice allows the listener to attempt to follow along with the views and arguments presented, even though he or she may not agree with them. The president does not use slang, which elicits a respect from the audience, since the issue is serious.

President Obama makes use of metaphor when he states that “America is not the world’s policeman”. The comparison is appropriate, since it clarifies Obama’s plan for intervention in Syria. It reaffirms that Obama does not merely wish to interfere in other countries’ politics, and instead wishes to support American values by preventing deaths. He also mentions that such measures are necessary for the future security of America. The metaphor is important because many Americans believe that Obama is taking a policeman- like role. By making the comparison, Obama is directly addressing these concerns in a way that is understandable to most citizens in the nation.

In his address, President Obama presents his ideas after rebutting the public’s views and statements. He calmly presents an opposing view and then gives reasons to explain why it is not true. While he is explaining this, he makes it a point to clearly describe his own views, turning the focus on why pressure should be exerted on Assad, rather than why it should not. This arrangement is extremely effective, since the president is showing the audience that he recognizes their concern, but it accomplishes his goal in that the focus of the speech develops his views, making it more likely for the audience to reflect upon his points and therefore agree with him.  

 

             Here is President Obama's Address to the Nation regarding Syria: