Rhetorical Analysis Of Michelle Obama's Speech

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On October 13th, 2016, Michelle Obama delivered a masterly censure of years of bigot and sexist assaults on women in an astounding speech about the man behind these horrible claims and statements. The man who has been chosen for a president-elect. The man who is supposed to lead America into greatness and success. The Republican nominee; Donald Trump. With mind-boggling rhetoric and her husband by her side, the First Lady of America portrayed the agony and mortification women have persisted for years in a speech criticizing Donald Trump. After a huge wave of women whom recently have chosen to come forward with their personal stories of sexual harassment, alongside the release of videotapes of Donald Trump touching women inappropriately without their consent, as well as tapes displaying verbal discrimination of females, Michelle Obama decided to get this message across at a conference, broadcasted on national television. Do we really want this man for president? Michelle Obama effortlessly utilizes various appeal forms, as well as rhetorical devices throughout the entirety of the speech, in order to reach out to all American citizens, in hopes of enlightening them …show more content…

Michelle states, “It's like that sick, sinking feeling you get when you're walking down the street minding your own business and some guy yells out vulgar words about your body.” (p.4, 3. 1-2) Since getting yelled at vulgarly on the streets is, unfortunately, a relatable situation for many women in the United States, Mrs. Obama comes across as more persuasive. Furthermore, being the loved First Lady of the United States of America, who has actively participated in campaigns supporting women rights, as well as speaking of personal experience relating to discrimination and wronged treatment, Michelle Obama is both credible and convincing. This is the element of ethos; appeal through

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