Persuasive Narrative in Rhetoric - Essay Example

?Persuasive Narrative in Rhetoric Narrativity is the relationship that exists between content and expression in a text or between a text and its inner meaning. Narratives help in organization and instilling sense in people’s lives. The definite meaning of any narrative can however not be understood by simply reading a narrative. It takes more than just reading to comprehend the inner meaning of a narrative. Symbols, sayings, and in-depth objects are creating hidden interpretations in a narrative. Some narratives could be ironical, and others rhetorical. However there are principles of narrative analysis that help in analyzing a narrative with a purpose of proper understanding. There are three main principles of narrative analysis. They are the principle of succession, principle of transformation, and the principle of mediation. The paper will use these principles in explaining the persuasive use of narrative rhetoric in Obama’s inaugural speech. Rhetoric is this case is the aspect of speaking effectively. The paper will also use narrative rationality to explain the persuasive effect of narrative in rhetoric. This paper will considerably focus on patho, logos, ethos, and their individual effect on persuasion in regards to narrative rational. Pathos, logos, and ethos are the three pillars of public speaking. They are the rhetoric styles of persuasion. I will use examples from the Obama inaugural speech to illustrate each of these points. The paper will then draw an informed conclusion on persuasive use of narrative in rhetoric. The Principle of succession is present in Obama’s inaugural speech. The Principle of succession relies on time and change to explain the meaning of the sequential arrangement of objects, elements, and incidents in a narrative (Scharf, 2003). Everything is in time. Stage for the speech was perfectly set in front of building constructed by black slaves. The speech is filled by words signifying sequential events, “I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors” (New York Times, 2009). These words seek to persuade the audience on his concern for the job at hand. The use of incidents like rising tides, still waters, clouds, and ranging storms is also sequential. They seek to persuade the audience that things and situations change with time and hence they should brace themselves for that change. Additionally, the use of incidents like the abandonment in the capital, when the enemy was advancing and the staining of the snow with blood, play a major role in persuading the audience that their history has not been good and hence the need to change it. This principle consequently leads to the principle of transformation. The principle of transformation relies on unities to define patterns that signify change in state of mind or state of affairs and hence defining the beginnings and endings. There is massive use of this principle in Obama’s inaugural speech. The phrase, “Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America” (New York Times, 2009) signify change in the state of affairs. These words seek to persuade the audience that it is time to act towards good for America. Other words that signify change of state of mind are, “Our capacity remains undiminished, but our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions” (New York Times, 2009). These too persuade the audience that change is irresistible at this time. It marks the beginning of putting off unpleasant decisions and the end of protecting narrow interests. Moreover, from the energy in his words and the applause that he receives it is sure that Obama and the American people are ready for this change and hence the eminent success in narrative persuasion. This principle additionally leads to the principle of mediation. The principle of mediation relies on desire and ability to get a better understanding of the environment hence conveying the deeper meaning of content. Obama confirms to the audience that they are in amidst of a crisis, their nation is at war, and their economy is weakening and their health costly (New York Times, 2009). He seeks to draw their understanding on the burdens he has inherited from the previous government. However, he turns the burden to all by denoting that although the government is able and mandated to sort these burden it the faith and determination of American that holds the nation. In doing this, he is seeking understanding on the fact that it will take everybody’s effort for America to flourish. The three principles arguably manifest their input in persuading the audience in the narrative rhetoric. Narrative rationality is how the audience relates with the narrative. It depends on whether the narrative is coherent, complete, and characters are consistent. It also depends on narrative fidelity, which demands that the story correlates with our ideas, our lives, values, and experiences. The absence of a narrative rationale despises any act of persuasion in rhetoric. The Obama’s inaugural speech manifests its rationality to persuade the audience. The speech is whole and the speaker and the audience are consistent. He starts the speech by recognizing the American citizens and ends with blessings over America and its people (New York Times, 2009). This demonstrates the completeness of the speech. This explains persuasive effect in how the people identifies with his blessings and recognition. The constant applauds in course of the speech confirms the connection of the people with the speaker. They applaud where their ideas, values, and lives correlate with that of the speaker. This aids a great deal in persuading the audience as it confirms that the audience is attentive and absorbs the message to their hearts. Pathos, logos, and ethos are pillars of public speaking. They are persuasive appeals and are very significant in any rhetoric. There is a clear manifestation of the three pillars in the Obama’s inaugural speech. The form the basis of a narrative analysis and their use qualifies contents of literature. Ethos defines the trustworthiness, character, or credibility of the speaker. To achieve this, the speaker must use an appropriate language to the audience, observe sincerity, restrict himself to the subject matter, and present a reasonable presentation (Henning, 1998). Ethos comes with respect and authority. Indeed, Ethos is the most significant pillar in that if the audience does not have trust with the speaker, they will not care to listen and hence cannot draw persuasion from his rhetoric. In the speech, Obama establishes his bona fides by tracing his roots from the grandest capital to the small village where his father was born. He again notes that in earlier years, he would not have demanded respect but now he qualifies for the most sacred oath (New York Times, 2009). By doing this, he demonstrates his humble background, his humility, and authority to give his speech. He uses an appropriate language and grammar in addressing the audience. The applause he receives after these remarks confirms the success of his ethical appeal. This becomes an effective persuasive mode for the audience believes in him and is willing to listen to him. They identify with his ideas and values by applauding. Pathos defines the emotional connection of the speaker to the audience. It persuades the audience with an appeal to their emotions of patriotism, love, or joy. To achieve this, the speaker must use vivid and emotional languages, narrate on emotional events, and use an emotional tone (Edlund, 2012). In the speech, Obama established an emotional bond with the audience by stating that his father of 88 years rang with tears from England to congratulate him (New York Times, 2009). He also pledged to help poor nations and narrated on how their fore fathers fought for independence. This evoked sympathy and emotional response. This serves a significant step in persuading the audience as they are compelled to listen and act. In fact, they remain attentive up to when their emotions prescribe applause to the speaker. The emotional connection also justifies the rationality of the speech to the American citizens. They believe in what he is saying and hence the persuasion to act accordingly. Logos defines the logical argument of the speaker. While Ethos and pathos can convince the public, logos convince the academicians. To achieve this, the speaker must use definitions, abstract language, informed opinions and factual data and statistics (Edlund, 2012). In the speech, Obama drew a logical argument and cognitive response. He argued that although the power of the market to generate wealth and expand very real, the recent marker crisis proved that the nation could not prosper by only favoring the prosperous but by giving an equal chance to any willing citizen (New York Times, 2009). This argument was logical enough to convince and persuade the academicians. The fact that he identifies with the market crisis America is facing, he defines his connection with the people hence the rationale. Conclusion It is worth noting that literature is not only based on principles of narrativity and the three pillars of public speaking only but also on narrative rationale. Where there is no narrative rationale, it is almost impossible to attain the desired goal of the rhetoric because the audience will not be receptive. Additionally, given that one principle of narrativity leads to another, then, a defined sequence must be in application in analyzing persuasive use of narrative in rhetoric. Any good piece of literature possesses these factors in totality. Obama’s inaugural speech is very relevant in demonstrating the persuasive use of narrative in rhetoric. It considerably harbors most of these principles, and pillars in clear definition. I will thus qualify this speech as a good piece of literature. References Edlund, J. (2012). Ethos, Logos, Pathos: Three Ways to Persuade. Retrieved from http://www.calstatela.edu/faculty/jgarret/3waypers.htm Henning, M. (1998). A General Summary of Aristotle's Appeals. Retrieved from http://courses.durhamtech.edu/perkins/aris.html New York Times. (2009). “Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address”. New York Times Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/20/us/politics/20text-obama.html?pagewanted=all Scharf, H. (2003). “Grand Principles of Narratology”. Hum. Retrieved from http://www.hum.aau.dk/~scharfe/pala2003sch.pdf Read More