Obama’s ISIS Speech

Target 1: Students will be savvy consumers of media. This means students will be able to understand, analyze, evaluate and use different types of media. (Speaking, Viewing, Listening, and Media Literacy 11.9.7.7)I can use annotation as a strategy to help me more closely read and comprehend a speech.

Learning Target

Obama’s speech on fighting ISIL

President Obama’s speech

Purpose: How will U.S. respond to terrorist threats of ISIL? (ISIL stands for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant)• Beheading of journalists• Syria and Iraq• Eve of 9/11• Opposing concerns of Americans:

most don’t want another war U.S. should not have to do this alone, other countries should get involved

Rhetoric is speaking or writing effectively.

Rhetoric is using words for a purpose, often to persuade

“The pen is mightier than the sword.”

Words are power.

John Keating: No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.

Aristotle

Defined elements of effective argument (rhetoric) in 4th Century BC

Ethos, Pathos, Logos

Rhetorical Situation

Audience/Reader Subject/Message

Writer/Communicator

Ethos

• Ethos is appeal based on the character of the speaker. An ethos-driven document relies on the reputation of the author.

• The speaker sets up his/her credibility. • Ego = self

• Example: I have been teaching writing for twenty years . . .

www.rpi.edu/dept/llc/webclass/web/project1/group4/http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/Mathematicians/Aristotle.html)

Logos

• Logos is appeal based on logic or reason. Documents distributed by companies or corporations are logos-driven. Scholarly documents are also often logos-driven.

• Logos = logic (use facts)

• Example: Eighty percent of the writers interviewed said they write at least four rough drafts before they publish a piece of writing.

www.rpi.edu/dept/llc/webclass/web/project1/group4/http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/Mathematicians/Aristotle.html)

Pathos

• Pathos is appeal based on emotion. Advertisements tend to be pathos-driven.

• Pathos = sympathy / empathy

• Writers create pathos by using effective word choice and emotional images and stories.

Rhetorical Situation

Audience/Reader Subject/Message

Writer/Communicator

Analyze President Obama’s decisions as a writer and presenter.

AudienceAmerican peopleCongressOther world leadersISIL terrorists

SpeakerPresidentialConfidentCredible Powerful(Gestures, delivery, speech tone, dress, facial expressions)

SubjectReason for the planClear plan

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-terror/president-obama-lays-out-isis-strategy-n200661

Annotate Obama’s speech

Underline examples of Ethos

Highlight PathosCircle words and phrases he uses to create emotion (Pathos)

Highlight phrases where he is directly addressing audience and their fears/concerns.

Circle examples of Logos

Also, write in the margin to identify other effective strategies he uses in the speech: structure, examples, word choice

5 – 10 annotations per page