A Study Of Obama’s Two Inaugural Addresses (2009-2013)from Neo-Aristotelian Rhetoric

Public speaking is an important means of embodying one’s profound knowledge, eloquence and personal charm. As a form of public speaking, the main purpose of political speeches is to convince and persuade audience without consciousness and finally realizes the addresser’s intention. American president Barack Obama is an excellent political speaker. He conquers billions of audience with his passionate and exquisite speeches, which brings "Obama fever". Obama’s success can be attributed to many a factor, but his rhetorical strength can not be ignored. In his speech, various kinds of rhetoric are skillfully used, thus making the language more vivid and convincing. Therefore taking a deep exploration into Obama’s speeches, especially the most representative two inaugural addresses, is of profound significance to the understanding of English rhetoric and the mastery of public speaking skills.The thesis, with Neo-Aristotle’s rhetoric as the theoretical framework, studies Obama’s speeches from language rhetoric and speech rhetoric respectively. Language rhetoric consists of phonological, lexical, syntactical and textual aspects; while speech rhetoric involves logos appeals, pathos appeals appeal and ethos appeals. This thesis adopts qualitative method. The research objects are the two inaugural addresses which Obama delivered in2009and2013attempting to explore the influence of Neo-Aristotelian rhetoric exerting on Obama’s political speeches.The study shows that Obama’s successful speech greatly depends on rhetoric. In language rhetoric, the applications of phonological rhetoric and syntactic rhetoric are distinct. While in speech rhetoric, the applications of pathos appeals and ethos appeals are eminent. Language and speech rhetoric play an irreplaceable role in Obama’s speech.This thesis includes five parts:Chapter one is a general introduction of the study. First, the origin of the study is put forward. Then the objective and significance of the study are presented. Finally, the organization of the paper is raised. Chapter two is the literature review of the study. First, it introduces concepts of rhetoric and reviews the studies on rhetoric abroad and at home; second it reviews the previous study of Obama’s speeches abroad and at home and then following the summary of this chapter. The third part first introduces Neo-Aristotelian rhetoric which is the framework of this thesis and then introduces the methodology. Neo-Aristotelian rhetoric is composed of two parts:language rhetoric and speech rhetoric. Language rhetoric consists of phonological rhetoric, lexical rhetoric, syntactical rhetoric and textual rhetoric. Speech rhetoric includes three appeals, that is, logos appeals, pathos appeals and ethos appeals. And following that, the methodology of this thesis including research questions and data collection and research procedures is presented. And the end of this chapter is the summary of this chapter. Chapter four gives a detailed analysis of how Obama applies Neo-Aristotelian rhetoric to his inaugural addresses. First it analyzes how Obama persuades audience by adopting phonological, lexical, syntactical and textual devices. And then it gives an analysis of how Obama achieves ultimate success by employing three appeals. Then it follows the summary of this chapter. Chapter five is the conclusion of this thesis. It includes the major findings and implications of the study. At the same time, it also summarizes limitations of the study and suggestions for further research.The significance of this thesis is to help readers better master the figures of speech and three appeals. What is more, it can also enhance readers’ skills in making public speeches and it is of great benefit in teaching and learning rhetoric as well.The creativity of this thesis is to closely connected rhetoric with inaugural addresses. Different from the material in the textbook, this material is more practical. Additionally, the thesis combines the first inaugural address with the second inaugural address and then makes an analysis and draws a conclusion that rhetoric is just a means of achieving the intention of the politicians.