Blog Entry #2

After having read chapters 2, 3 and 4 I see that Obama has used all three of the argument points. ethos, pathos, and logos, now that does not surprise me but what did is how smoothly he transitions form one to another. The first major use would be of ethos when he is talking about how he came to be with the church he is now apart of. "But kneeling beneath the cross on the South Side, I felt that I heard God's spirit beckoning me". Now this statement shouts "Look I am one of you, I pray by a cross too" but it gets the job done of establishing a character to which the audience members can feel a personal bond with. Logos was not a as easily pointed out until one slows down and really dissects what Obama is talking about. "Imagine Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address without reference to "the judgments of the Lord." Or King's I Have a Dream speech without references to "all of God's children." Their summoning of a higher truth helped inspire what had seemed impossible, and move the nation to embrace a common destiny." Now here is where we see a beautiful use of reason in a speech that most might try to use emotion to make their point. Obama uses Lincoln and King to conjuror up the image of great leaders and he uses logos to push his argument. Lastly he uses pathos but to end on pathos really drove the speech home. "Re-reading the doctor's letter, though, I felt a pang of shame." For him to end on this really shows that he is human and that he feels just like anyone of use would if we had hurt someone. Obama might not have know this man but to see him humble himself really illustrated the point that he was trying to make.

Blog Entry #1

In, then Senator Obama's, speech he hit on a few key points. He at first starts off with a greeting and a quick word of thanks to the people whom he is addressing. He then goes on to congratulate them on their presentations. As the speech progresses past niceties he begins by talking about the Bible and how they can talk all they want but it will not make a difference if they are not willing to put in the hard work. He gives them an example form his campaign against Alan Keyes, and how Mr. Keyes stated that Jesus would not vote for him. Then he tells the people on how he came into the Trinity United Church of Christ. He then proceeds to use key points in speeches given by Lincoln and Dr. King. Later on Obama says that he believes in "vigorous enforcement of our non-discrimination laws" but he also feels that diversity is necessary for our nation's leader. But he tells the crowd that not every progressive should jump on the religious bandwagon. He then says that for someone to tell someone else that they need to "leave their religion at the door" is wrong and what we really need is cooperation between religious and secular America. He closes with a letter form one of his supporters and their congratulations on his victory, but how they might not vote for him in the general election. The author of this letter goes on to state that his voting choice is based on how he was raised and how he felt about abortion. Obama then sent this letter out and changed the wording on how he himself felt about abortion. He closes with the story of a prayer that we can all come to live together.