Speech Analysis Paper
“Checkers”
Richard M. Nixon Using the five canons of rhetoric, I will analyze Richard M. Nixon’s “Checkers” historical speech. First, I will describe the canon of invention and further analyze Nixon’s argument. Next, I will tell you how he structured his speech which is the canon of arrangement. Then, I will illustrate how he instructed the audience which is the canon of style. Afterwards, I will interpret how he used his method which is the canon of memory. Finally, I will distinguish whether his delivery was excellent or not which is the canon of delivery.
Invention
Richard M. Nixon, Eisenhower’s vice president, faces critics who claim he took $18,000 from a donation and used it for personal use. Nixon used his television appearance to deny the falsehood and explain himself to his people. Though he said he never took any “illegal gifts”, he admits that Checkers, …show more content…
He spoke clear and simple in order for the audience to understand him well. Additionally, one way he persuaded his audience was by using emotion (pathos) aside from logic (logos). His voice did not stutter at all and he did not make the speech sound choppy and rushed because he used his sentence lengths precisely. Nixon’s speech was propriety meaning that he spoke about the right thing at the right place at the right time. Speaking about this, it was great that he came up and stood up for himself which shows bravery in front of the television and broadcasts. He achieved his task by speaking peacefully and in a way he gave his own thoughts about how it’s not fair what the government does about how they let the taxpayers pay for expenses that don’t even regard the people. This, in a way, lets the people feel certain about him and this is a good thing when it comes to public