MB UNIUD

TOPIC DISCUSSED

• My fellow citizens: He is the 44^th US president "At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we, the people, have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents"
• Serious challenge: USA is in crisis "On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord"
• Nation of 'risk-takers': Everybody is equal and free "the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness"
• Remaking America: America is the most powerful nation on earth and is able to reconstruct itself "Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed"
• Restoring trust: People restore the confidence between people and government "The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on the ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good"
• Ready to lead: America finds a future of peace and dignity "They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint"
• Era of Peace: America hopes in a change "we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve"
• Duties: Honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism are values for success "They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths"
• Gift of freedom: American people will face the future with courage "Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

HOW IS PERSUASION BUILT?

In all the speech we find words like "us, we...". Barack Obama, the 44^th President of the United States of America says that he is one of the common people, he puts himself at their same level. He isn't one of the most important people in the world, when he talks to the nation, he is only a person that is part of it. Right from the beginning he makes a parallel between past and present. He wants Americans "to recall that earlier generations faced own fascism and communism [...]with the sturdy alliances and enduring convictions". Therefore, even if America is in the middle of a crisis, there is going to be a new era. The challenges they are going to face will be won. He gives faith to his "fellow citizens" (fellow is a word generally used by friends). Moreover he says that "all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness". Obama says what America is going to do: she is going to reborn with the construction of streets, bridges, science, technology... To say all this he uses the future. This means that he believes in it, and he conveys his idea in the Americans. He also says that that "they are ready to lead once more", emphasizing America's superiority. "It is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies". With this sentence he underlines patriotism that ha always characterized American people. He remarks their good qualities, old qualities such as: honesty, hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism. "These things are true", he says  "They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history". Like the beginning he talks about past, when America was the most powerful nation. At the end he asks God to bless the United States of America.

REHTHORIC DEVICES

• - Rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace;
• - Gathering clouds and raging storms;
• - Span of time;
• - Time and again;
• - To dust ourselves off;
• - To taste the bitter swill of civil war