Neo-Aristotelian Criticism of Barack Obama's 50th Anniversary Selma Speech

Abstract

An analysis of President Obama’s speech during the 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery marches. This analysis will be performed using Neo-Aristotelian Criticism and it will bring forth evidence as to why President Obama’s speech was an effective argument. In his speech, he not only commends the civil rights act performed fifty years ago, but he defends American progress from then until now. I aim to apply the five canons of rhetoric when I analyze the effectiveness of President Barack Obama’s speech. Throughout this critique, I will argue that Obama’s speech convinced the audience that Selma marchers set a new course for American democracy although the ideals of America has not yet been perfected.