How Did Fdr Use Ethos In Pearl Harbor Speech

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On December 7th, 1941 the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. President at the time Franklin Delano Roosevelt addressed this issue in his speech Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation. This speech was centered around explaining to America’s people what was going on. Franklin Roosevelt used this speech to explain to the public what the Japanese had done. During this speech Roosevelt uses many rhetorical devices such as ethos, pathos, and logos. Franklin Roosevelt uses many instances of ethos in his speech. “I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.” By using the words we, our, and us he makes the people feel included and like they are in this with him. The use of these words help to build his credibility. “No matter how long it may …show more content…
“Las night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.” “Last night, Japanes forces attacked Guam. “Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.” He used this repetition to show that the Japanese weren’t only targeting them but other countries as well. This repetition made the message to the audience clear that the Japanese were very bad. “There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.” The repetition of, our, includes the audience and also drives home what is in danger. This would cause the audience to feel the need to help out in any way and show their support. The use of these three rhetorical devices and many more in his speech made it very effective. By properly using pathos he was able to evoke sadness in his audience to make them ready to go to war. Ready to avenge the ones who had lost their lives. The way he used ethos he was able to build is relationship and credibility with the audience. Lastly his use of repetition effectively grabbed the audiences attention to what was being