Aristotelian Criticism of Jimmy Carters Speech for Gerald Fords Eulogy Essay Example

Aristotelian Criticism of Jimmy Carters Speech for Gerald Fords Eulogy Essay Example Aristotelian Criticism of Jimmy Carters Speech for Gerald Fords Eulogy Paper Aristotelian Criticism of Jimmy Carters Speech for Gerald Fords Eulogy Paper 1976 was the first time in the United States history where presidential candidates would debate head to head, sharing the stage and increasing competition. Gerald Ford was expected to come ahead, but his opponent Jimmy Carter was perceived as confident and a fierce contender. Many argue that Gerald Ford’s downfall was due to the pardon of President Nixon, while others thought he faltered during the live broadcasted debate in San Francisco, with his response to his â€Å"international policy leadership. (CNN Time) Nevertheless, come election day, Jimmy Carter was the new Commander in Chief. Although their rivalry was aggressive, the two stayed friends and worked closely on many national matters, such as â€Å"the Panama Canal treaties, nuclear armaments control with the Soviet Union and the Camp David accords. † (Carter) President Carter spoke at Ford’s funeral and Carter’s speech is a great example of how a speaker can convey condolence and affection for a worth adversary and friend. A Neo-Aristotelian Criticism, created in 1925, by Hervert A. Wichlen is an analysis that condones the use of the five cannons; invention, organization, style, memory and delivery. To begin with invention, one must describe the external proofs, meaning the context of the speech and background of the speaker and occasion and internal proofs, the affected audience and specific appeals used. Ethos appeal to ethics and morals, pathos, targeting emotions and logos, to engaging facts and logistics. The second foundation is organization, or the structure and arrangement of said artifact. This is looking at why and what manner the rhetor organized context. The third cannon is style, meaning the stylistic device the speaker chose to weave into his speech, such as alliteration, metaphors or allegories or just the style of language the rhetor uses. Next is memory. Has the rhetor memorized some, part or all of his speech? The final cannon is delivery, the actual presentation of the artifact. Examples are hand gestures, eye contact and other vocal devices. There are other elements in Neo- Aristotelian criticism, like public perception, audience, major ideas and long term effects. However, the method always utilizes most if not all of the five cannons. I will start my analysis of Former President Jimmy Carter’s eulogy with invention. Carter drew on ethos with his description of their faith and moral values, and the fact that both were former presidents increases credibility of both the rhetor and the man that was being remembered. Jimmy Carter also touches the logos, or factual side, reminding the people of the many challenges the president and America faced, such as â€Å"the Panama treaties, nuclear armaments control with the Soviet Union, normalized diplomatic relations with China,† and many other issues. f the occasion and nature of the speech, Carter appealed to pathos. He is also affecting the emotions of his audience, with his intimate stories of his time spent with Ford. Another example is the personal amusement the two presidents shared with the cartoon in the â€Å"New Yorker,† (Carter), or the light hearted jokes Carter strategically placed throughout the eulogy. He was sincere, but he did not let th e mood turn to one of somberness. On that note I’ll move into the next cannon, organization. While the occasion is one of seriousness, Carter brings humor to the table. He carefully structures his speech to follow the pattern of a serious or intimate anecdote, followed by a small joke or humorous story of Ford and himself. This successfully keeps the atmosphere respectful, however all can smile in remembrance of Ford’s life and happy moments. Not only does he regulate the mood, but also the audience’s attention. By revealing personal stories, he invites the audience into not only Ford’s life, but his too. Carter’s introduction and conclusion is the same line, â€Å"For myself and for our nation, I want to thank my predecessor for all he has done to heal our land. † (Carter) This is successful arrangement because it draws all the anecdotes and jokes back to the occasion, celebrating a friend and national representative. As I mentioned before, Jimmy Carter uses many small stories, or anecdotes, throughout his speech. Carter also uses a cathartic strategy, which can be explained as a release of strong emotion, and in this situation his eulogy is his release. His approach is personal, listing the names of his family members, and the Ford family members. This adds to the sincerity of the eulogy because he is talking directly to the family, instead of a broad out reach to the audience. Since the artifact was not memorized, the final cannon I want to address is the delivery. Carter’s delivery fit his purpose perfectly. He respectfully honored a great person. The slow pace of his presentation represents the solemnity of the matter. Carter also takes time to look out into the audience as he speaks which shows that he is trying to also make a connection on a personal level. Overall, Jimmy Carter accomplished his goal in giving a memorable and respectable speech in honor of former President Gerald Ford. Through his context, organization, style and delivery Carter effectively demonstrates a professional, yet personal method that consoles and reminisces of a former adversary and friend. Bibliography Foss, Sonja K. Rhetorical Criticism: Exploration Practice. 4th ed. Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland, 1989. Print. Carter, Jimmy. Carter Center Editorials and Speeches Jimmy Carter Eulogy for Gerald R. Ford. Carter Center Editorials and Speeches Jimmy Carter Eulogy for Gerald R. Ford. The Carter Center, 3 Jan. 2007. Web. 09 Sept. 2012. . 1976 Presidential Debates. AllPolitics. Ed. Unknown. CNN. com, 1996. Web. 09 Sept. 2012. . Goodrigde, Elisabeth. Gerald Ford v. Jimmy Carter: There Is No Soviet Domination of Eastern Europe U. S. News and World Report. U. S. News and World Report, 17 Jan. 2008. Web. 9 Sept. 2012. .