Rhetoric FDR\'s Address to the Nation Following

Rhetoric

FDR's address to the nation following the Pearl Harbor attack is a strong speech. The introduction is strong. It is to the point, and sets the tone for the rest of the speech. The body covers the facts of the situation in a concise manner. The body also ensures that the listener is rallied to the cause. The conclusion contains a call for action. This call for action is directly related to the content of the speech, and flows directly from the introduction.

The overall organization of the speech is effective. The introduction sets the stage for the facts in the body of the speech. Those facts support the call to action that is present in the conclusion. The speech is concise, so that the listener does not lose focus on the message. The speech is oriented towards building emotional and logical support for its conclusion. The facts and conclusion are treated as already understood by the audience, helping ensure consensus and unequivocal support for the call to action.

Verbal signposts help create a sense of coherence to the speech. One example is "It will be recorded that…," which leads to an important point in the speech. The point that the attack was premeditated is critical to the call for the declaration of war in the conclusion. The phrase "Japan has, therefore, undertaken…" identifies the preceding statements as a summary of Japan's actions, and this summary also builds support for the conclusion. Because Japan has done all of these terrible things, President Roosevelt argues, "I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense." The concise nature of the speech as a whole means that President Roosevelt need not make extensive use of signposts because the speech does not deviate from its message at any point -- the road is so straight that the need for signposts is minimal.

The straightforward nature of the speech allows the President to make only a couple of key points. The first point is that the United States was attacked. The second point is that Japan has made several aggressive moves against American and other Western territories (Hong Kong and Malaya being British at the time). The third point is that these attacks were an unprovoked act of aggression on the part of the Japanese. The fourth point is that the United States must take strong action against these attacks -- that it is now in a state of war with Japan. These points are delivered clearly and concisely in the speech, with no deviation.

There are a number of facts presented to support the main points. The list of territories that Japan has attacked is presented starkly, and in sequence. This illustrates the aggressive, unprovoked nature of the Japanese action. There are anecdotal examples presented of the Japanese government deceiving the United States, evidence that highlights the unprovoked, surprise nature of the attacks. In addition, The President twice makes mentioned of his mandate -- "I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people" and "the people of the United States have already formed their opinions." These are used as evidence that the President has the support of the nation to make his call for a declaration of war.