David Foster Wallace Rhetorical Analysis Essay

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Wallace’s use of intentional diction at the beginning of the speech gains the trust of his target audience, causing him to also gain credibility. He downplays his own standing as the speaker: allowing the students to be more receptive to his message. Before beginning his moving speech, he says, “If anyone feels like perspiring, I'd advise you to go ahead, because I'm sure going to”. Perspiration, although natural, is often looked down upon in social situations; therefore, when he talks about himself sweating it takes him off of a pedestal and makes him more of an average person, to which the graduates will be more willing to listen. David Foster Wallace uses ethos not only through connecting on the same level to his audience, but also through
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