In paragraph 5, President Obama remarks: "You know, when Trayvon Martin was first shot I said that this could have been my son. Another way of saying that is Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago." How does President Obama use rhetoric in this quote to contribute to the overall meaning of his speech?

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Mariela Anderson

5 January, 14:42

In paragraph 5, President Obama remarks: "You know, when Trayvon Martin was first shot I said that this could have been my son. Another way of saying that is Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago." How does President Obama use rhetoric in this quote to contribute to the overall meaning of his speech?

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Jaylin Bean · Answer 1

President Obama uses an emotional approach when he speaks on Trayvon Martin. He wants to evoke emotions from his audience using Pathos. President Obama uses rhetoric in this quote to contribute to the overall message of his speech by saying to the audience, "If this was my son or your son, would you not be outraged?" He wants his audience to feel for the young teenager. He wants the crowd to see through a parent's perspective and so by allowing people to be sympathetic, the use of rhetoric works in his favor.