Sample AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis Essay: Obama’s Rosa Parks Statue Speech

Prompt:

On February 27, 2013, while in office, former president Barack Obama delivered the following address dedicating the Rosa Parks statue in the National Statuary Hall of the United States Capitol building. Rosa Parks was an African American civil rights activist who was arrested in 1955 for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama.

Write an essay that analyzes the rhetorical choices Obama makes to convey his message

AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis Essay: Rosa Parks Statue Speech

Sample AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline: Rhetorical Choices in Obama’s Rosa Parks Statue Speech

1. Introduction:
   • Hook: Start with an attention-grabbing statement or a relevant quote about the significance of Rosa Parks and her contribution to the civil rights movement.
   • Context: Provide background information about Rosa Parks, her arrest, and the importance of her actions in the fight against racial segregation.
   • Thesis Statement: Clearly state your main argument about the rhetorical choices Obama employs in his address to convey his message about Rosa Parks and the ongoing struggle for equality.
2. Body Paragraph 1: Analysis of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos
   1. Analysis of Ethos:
      • Discuss how Obama establishes his credibility and authority as the President of the United States, emphasizing his role as a national leader.
      • Analyze how he connects his personal experiences and values to the broader historical significance of Rosa Parks’ actions, fostering a sense of shared values and purpose.
   2. Analysis of Pathos:
      • Examine the emotional appeals Obama employs to evoke empathy, inspire hope, and rally support for the continued pursuit of equality.
      • Analyze his use of storytelling, vivid language, or powerful imagery to convey the struggles faced by Rosa Parks and the larger African American community.
   3. Analysis of Logos:
      • Analyze Obama’s use of logical reasoning and evidence to support his claims about the impact of Rosa Parks’ actions and the ongoing fight for civil rights.
      • Discuss any statistical data, historical references, or logical arguments he presents to strengthen his message and persuade the audience.
3. Body Paragraph 2: Analysis of Rhetorical Devices and Style
   • Identify and analyze rhetorical devices such as parallelism, repetition, allusion, or rhetorical questions that Obama uses to enhance the impact of his address.
   • Discuss his tone, word choice, and overall style, and how they contribute to his rhetorical strategy and the intended effect on the audience.
4. Body Paragraph 3: Analysis of Structure and Organization
   • Examine the overall structure of the address, including the introduction, body, and conclusion.
   • Discuss how Obama organizes his ideas, transitions between topics, and reinforces his main points throughout the speech.
5. Body Paragraph 4: Analysis of Audience and Purpose
   • Identify the target audience of the speech and discuss how Obama tailors his rhetoric to connect with and persuade that audience.
   • Analyze his intended purpose in delivering the speech and how his rhetorical choices align with that purpose.
6. Conclusion:
   • Summarize your main points and restate your thesis.
   • Evaluate the overall effectiveness of Obama’s rhetorical choices in conveying his message about Rosa Parks and the ongoing struggle for equality.
   • Make a final statement that highlights the enduring significance of Rosa Parks’ actions and the importance of continued efforts towards achieving social justice.

Remember to provide specific examples and quotes from the speech to support your analysis. Each body paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of analysis and connect back to the thesis statement.