Question

In his 2012 State of the Union Address, President Barack Obama said: "Nowhere is the promise of innovation greater than in American-made energy. We've opened millions of new acres for oil and gas exploration, and more than 75% of our potential offshore oil and gas resources. Right now, American oil production is the highest that it's been in 8 years. Last year, we relied less on foreign oil than in any of the past 16 years. But with only 2% of the world's oil reserves, oil isn't enough. This country needs an all-out, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy—a strategy that's cleaner, cheaper, and full of new jobs." Analyze the types of appeal used in President Obama's statement. Use your findings and examples from the text to explain whether this is an argument or persuasion. Answer in a minimum of three complete sentences.

Answer 1

Well, he starts off by justifying his reasons with patriotism. "Nowhere is the promise of innovation greater than in American-made energy." He also uses facts and promises of a brighter future to gain an audience. "75% of our potential offshore oil and gas resources. Right now, American oil production is the highest that it's been in 8 years. Last year, we relied less on foreign oil than in any of the past 16 years." We also see more facts in his closing statements, "But with only 2% of the world's oil reserves, oil isn't enough" He then inadvertently talks about different types of energy sources. These being clean, reliable and opening jobs. This passively emphasizes that we need clean energy for ambiguous reasons, such as global warming and pollutants. It also gives the listeners hope of an increase in the job market. We know that America has had low job-rates lately, so the possibility of new jobs sparks a fire in the heart's of the people. Also, he mentions the gas will be cheaper, which is big, too, since our economy has gone through inflation and a financial depression, and because of this gas has skyrocketed. Cheaper gas motivates people to invest (Taxes?) in these new ideologies and technologies.

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