Hook: TBD
Introduction/Context: Back in 2008 the recession put people in a negative place. Many were laid off and felt like they were much worse off than they had been in the years past. 2008 election placed Obama against John McCain, and Obama was from the opposing political party as the previous president (George Bush). Due to this, he needed to promise some sort of change to make him relevant to those dissatisfied with the previous president. Although originally independent of the Obama campaign, the Hope poster became a well known and widespread symbol of his campaign.
Problem: How to make a campaign relevant to the hurting population.
Thesis: At a time when people needed hope to believe things would be okay, the Obama Hope campaign poster brought a positive message to his campaign through its kairos, the use of ethos and pathos, and the commonplace of hope.
Claim 1: Kairos
- Due to the time period, Kairotic, need for hope.
- People were unsure of what was happening, thought US was greatest country in world but losing jobs, Kairotic time for “Hope”
Claim 2: Ethos and Pathos
Ethos:
- Credible due to his previous terms in office
- Senator, went to law school, relevant; family man – wife, two children.
- Amazing public speaker, gives himself ethos.
- Uses red, white & blue to relate him to the credibility of the US.
Pathos:
- Appealed to the emotional need for hope.
- Obama’s posed as if he’s looking off at the distance at a better future, gives him a sense of relatability.
Claim 3: Commonplace
- Group of people had idea that Obama represented hope for a better future due to the poster.
- Patriotism and desire for a better America throughout the country.
Conclusion: As a political slogan, hope meant that Obama promised a change for those dissatisfied with current state. In this year’s election, we see Trump do the same with the slogan, “Make America Great Again.” The promise of change with a new presidential party is a useful skill to appeal to people who are looking for a difference with the next term.
This is a great example of rhetoric for this assignment. It fits so many important rhetorical strategies that your speech will definitely be full of good material! Kairos will work very well for you, seeing as at hat point in our history, hope was desperately needed. Also, I believe that the red, white, and blue symbolism is of major importance. Maybe for your intro, a short clip of a political ad from 2008 showing America’s bad condition? Or if not that, then a short Obama commercial that you feel is inspiring and promising hope. I liked your connection at the end to Trump this year, as I never realized how similar his slogan is to Obama’s! In reality, they have a similar message: they promise to bring about needed change to save our country. This should be an exciting and, judging from the outline, excellent speech! Good luck!