Miguel Vargas

Period 1, Mr. Christov

February 11, 2017

Rhetorical devices in Political Speeches

Rhetorical devices are used in many types of writing that are essential to communicate

effectively. Political speeches play a prominent role in our society and with the use of rhetorical

devices it allows the political leader to persuade the audience for a specific political action. An

example of this action is in the speech of Lyndon Johnson. The significance of his speech is to

speak out on the behalf of John Fitzgerald Kennedy and to tell his audience that his legacy will

continue.

To start off, in his speech he uses parallel structures. He states, he lives on many times

in the beginning of his speech. After JFKs death Lyndon stresses on how his ideas and legacy

will come into action. Johnson communicates to the audience that JFK will continue to live in

our hearts, minds, and memories. It allows the audience to an outlook on the impact of his

presidency.

To follow up, Johnson also uses an allusion. He states with Americas commitments the

good ideas will be placed into action. The people are noble and know what is right for their

country. Their ideas help make the job easier if they unite as one. If the commitments are still

intact they can revive what JFK had been working on. Johnson refers to the American people and

how he uses interpretive community to let the audience know he can trust them.

In his speech, Johnson believes in Americas capacity to realize Kennedys ideas. He

states another allusion where he has stayed in the capitol hill for 32 years. Within staying in the

capital, he knows they have the ability to meet at any crisis. They can keep commitments with

allies and have a strong military. He has witnessed what America can do and why it is so Great.
He wants his audience to have faith in him and to realize that if they have the capability to do

harder objectives than they can surely put Kennedys ideas into work.

To conclude, Johnson tells his audience that Kennedys ideas will continue forward. His

legacy will not be forgotten but remembered greatly. Political speeches bring in an attitude for

the audience to have faith and commitment. With rhetorical devices, it allows the speaker to

communicate effectively for the audience to have a better understanding.