Starter activity: watch this brief video about inaugural speeches throughout history. List three things that you have learnt about inaugural speeches. What makes them so special and important?
First, listen and watch Barack Obama’s second inaugural speech as President on BBC News here. A transcript of the speech can be found here.
Second, write down 5 main points he makes, and 5 techniques he uses to convey his points.
Third, read Sam Leith’s brilliant and very useful analysis of Obama’s second inaugural speech here.
Answer these questions now…
- What is the context of this speech? Why is this an important speech for Obama to give? Who does he have to persuade?
- What is Obama hoping to achieve in his second term as President?
- In your own words, explain what rhetorical techniques Obama uses to make his speech persuasive?
COMPARE AND CONTRAST
Now watch his first inaugural speech:
A transcript of the speech can be found here.
Write down 5 main points he makes, and 5 techniques he uses to convey his points.
Remind yourself of the Second Inaugural. How are the two inaugural speeches similar and different in their content, and the points he makes?
How is the context similar and different?
Which speech is better and more effective and why?
Barack Obama's Oratory 
Reblogged this on Arguing, Persuading, Advising.
In this speech obama speaks about hard work a lot more than his first inaugrial which shows that he has been trying to make America a better place for four years and now he try again even harder to make the American people get what they deserve. He praises the American public for their part in what he has achieved which is direct adress because he uses the word “you” over 7 times in this speech. He sounds much more reserved at times in this speech but then his passion reignites in certain parts of his speech which excites the audience and shows that he is passionate about what he is doing and he is determined to do his job to the best of his ability
Everything is very open with a really clear description of the issues.
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