Hardwork + Determination(Education) = Success

Neo- Aristotelian Criticism – President Obama’s National Address to America’s School Children

I choose this speech because it allows me to identify and analyze various cannons in the content.  I am also able to identify “Did the rhetor use the available means of persuasion to evoke the intended response from the audience?”

This speech was delivered by President Barack Obama at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia in September 2009.  President Obama has given and continues to deliver speeches on the importance of education to a variety of audiences. 

The occasion for this speech is to address students at the beginning of the 2009 school year and to set some expectations for students to take an active role in their education.

Obama’s claim is that he wants to stress that in order for students to achieve success they must commit to hard work and determination.  Hard work and determination is the foundation of any successful person and that no one has achieved anything without failure in their lives.   

Obama starts his speech giving a little background on himself growing up.  He points out that he too was once an everyday ordinary student and made mistakes.  He was raised by a single mother and initially did not have the same educational opportunities as other children.  He worked hard and went to college and law school to achieve the success he has.

The credible appeal of this speech is that it is delivered by the President of the United States and it directed to America’s school children via a local high school.

The emotional appeal is communicated multiple times throughout the speech.

“We need every single one of you to develop your talents and your skills and your intellect so you can help us old folks solve our most difficult problems. If you don't do that -- if you quit on school -- you're not just quitting on yourself, you're quitting on your country.”

“And even when you're struggling, even when you're discouraged, and you feel like other people have given up on you, don't ever give up on yourself, because when you give up on yourself, you give up on your country.”

“The story of America isn't about people who quit when things got tough. It's about people who kept going, who tried harder, who loved their country too much to do anything less than their best.”

“So don't let us down. Don't let your family down or your country down. Most of all don't let yourself down.  Make us all proud.”

“The future of America depends on you.”

Obama is telling the students that if you fail yourself then you fail you country.  This is powerful and I think used to create feelings of excitement and fear in the students, both powerful emotions.

I think the structure to the speech is arranged in a problem-solution order. Obama presents multiple problems or hurdles students face such as: fear of failure, laziness and complacency and offers solutions to these.  The solutions he gives to these problems are:  being respectful, doing homework, study hard, and don’t let failure define who you are, pick yourself back up and try again.

Obama knows his audience and has carefully selected the language and tone of voice to deliver his message.  He knows how to put the students at ease by using simple language for students to understand, a little humor and showing he can relate to them and the struggles they face.  Obama commands respect as he stands at the podium and shows authority and I think he does this to show he is serious about the message he is sending.

I believe Obama’s message achieved what he was looking for.  It was well received and impactful for the students.  The video clip included of students responses attest to this.  They share their perspective and interpretation of Obama’s message. The comments from the students acknowledge the need to push through and take responsibility for their lives and education and commit to the hard work for success in life.