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1755 Barack Obama QUESTIONS Understanding and Interpreting 1. Why did Barack Obama believe his presence on the stage of the 2004 Democratic National Convention was %u201cpretty unlikely%u201d (par. 1)? To what does he attribute the opportunity to speak at the event? 2. In paragraph 5, Obama details what he calls the %u201ctrue genius of America.%u201d In your own words, what are some of the %u201csimple dreams%u201d and %u201csmall miracles%u201d he includes in this paragraph? How do they illustrate the %u201ctrue genius%u201d of America? 3. In paragraph 10, Obama talks about Shamus, a young man who had joined the Marines. Why does Obama include Shamus in his speech? What is the effect? How does Obama%u2019s discussion of Shamus relate to his larger argument? 4. How does the quotation of %u201cE pluribus unum%u201d support the argument Obama makes in paragraph 12? How and why are we %u201cconnected as a people%u201d? QUESTIONS Analyzing Language, Style, and Structure 5. Vocabulary in Context. The word %u201caudacity%u201d can take on varying tones and connotations. Analyze how Obama uses it at the end of paragraph 14. What is the connotation of %u201caudacity%u201d in this sentence, and how does it contribute to his tone? 6. Based on the way Obama opens his speech and what he discusses in the first four paragraphs, what does he establish as an important purpose of the speech? To whom is he making appeals in these first paragraphs? 7. How does Obama%u2019s tone shift in paragraph 8 when he moves from discussing Americans and voters in general to John Kerry in particular? How does his diction contribute to this tone? 8. How does Obama appeal to pathos in paragraph 13? What is the rhetorical purpose of this paragraph, and how does the final sentence contribute to this purpose? 9. Self-deprecating humor, such as the kind Obama uses in paragraph 14, can either strengthen a speaker%u2019s argument or weaken it. Do you believe Obama%u2019s description of himself as %u201ca skinny kid with a funny name%u201d is an effective strategy? Explain why or why not. QUESTIONS Topics for Composing 10. Analysis. Analyze how Obama uses rhetorical appeals in his speech. In what ways does he craft his argument to persuade his audience to trust him and follow his line of thinking? 11. Argument. In paragraph 15, Obama asserts that hope is %u201cthe bedrock of this nation; the belief in things not seen; the belief that there are better days ahead.%u201d Do you agree with this statement? Write an essay that argues your position on his assertion. 12. Connections. Locate and read the text of the 2004 Republican National Convention Keynote Address by Georgia senator Zell Miller. Write a personal reflection in which you explain which of the 2004 keynotes speaks to you most and why you find that speaker%u2019s message particularly compelling. 13. Speaking and Listening. Imagine that you have been selected to give a speech at the next party convention of your choice. Using either Obama%u2019s 2004 speech or another convention speech you find compelling as a model, write a speech that connects your personal history with the American values that your party seeks to uphold. QUESTIONS QUESTIONS QUESTIONS Copyright %u00a9 Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Distributed by Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. For review purposes only. Not for redistribution.