Clare Boothe Luce Speech

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American press was likely leading on the global stage during the 1960s. Clare Boothe Luce seemed to agree, and in fact Luce claims that U.S. daily press is the "best press in the world." Despite that, Luce's opinion of the press is not free of criticism. In the introduction to her speech, she deftly appeals to and complements her audience, the press; she also informs them about her intentions to lambaste the press. By appealing to her audience, Luce softens the blow. She makes the audience more receptive to criticism, which is her main goal, as she wants to improve the state of the press. Luce also discusses what "good journalism" is, laying out her standards. This is in preparation for when she will explain why the press does not meet those standards and how they can improve. Luce's introduction tactfully serves as an excellent opening that transitions into the rest of her speech by initially appealing to her audience and foreshadowing her intentions. In addition, she presents herself as a reliable authority on the subject due to her status as a journalist and politician. …show more content…
She begins by telling the audience that will criticize them. "I stand here … invited to throw rocks at you." And by stating it using a metaphor, Luce creates a lighter tone than if she delivered it with a more negative phrase. Throughout the rest of her introduction, Luce never explicitly criticizes the press; although, she does imply their problems. Luce proposes what "good journalism" halfway through her introduction, which, on a basic level, is the "effort to achieve illuminating candor." She uses repetition to solidify her definition of what "good journalism" does. It would be fair to assume that the U.S. press is not reaching her standards in multiple ways, so her audience already has a general idea on what she will criticize them
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Rhetorical Techniques Used In Clare Boothe Luce's Speech

Clare Boothe Luce introduces speech at the Women’s National Press Club works by utilizing rhetorical devices. These devices act as a build up to the criticism in the rest of the speech. The speech calls out journalists faults in exchanging their integrity for what the public considers interesting. Subsequent to the introduction, Luce goes on to criticize her audience to evoke change in their actions. To prepare the audience Clare Boothe Luce uses allusion and metaphor in her introduction, which set…

Words 689 - Pages 3