1. CONVENTIONAL
WISDOM– TRADITIONAL
FORM– THE PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE OF NOVEMBER 3RD,
1969
FORBES HILL
By Anna Avery, Ariella Vance + Jimena
Ramon

2. Author + Essay Information




Forbes Hill
Vietnamization Speech by President Richard
Nixon, November 3rd, 1969
Other critics
Hill’s perspective

3. Historical Context of Speech



The Vietnam War
A nation divided
The Administration and The Peace Movement

4. Elements of the Essay

The Aristotelian pattern

Ethos in a narrative

5. Disposition + Synopsis:
The Aristotelian Pattern

Disposition
 Proem
 Narrative
 Proofs
 Constructive

Methods of Residue
 Refutative
 Epilogue

Synopsis

6. Logical + Psychological Persuasive
Factors: An Aristotelian
Assessment

Premises (Logical)
 Predictions
 “The
future will resemble the past”; “When one party to a
power struggle loses the confidence of its allies, its enemies
grow”; “Quid pro quo”
 Value
Assumptions
 “Security
of life and freedom from bondage are
primary goods for man”; “Betraying allies and letting down
friends is assumed to be an evil”; Policies endorsed by the
people they are supposed to help are said to be better
policies”

States of Feelings (Psychological)
 Fear,
Confidence + Anger

7. Characterological + Stylistic
Factors

Characterological
 Values
System + Ethos
 Johnson Administration
 Future
of America vs political gains
 Peace, peace, peace
 Right way versus easy way

Stylistic Elements (Tone)
 Blunt
+ forthright
 Impassioned

8. Analysis: Effectiveness of Hill’s
Argumentation

Extremely in-depth, thorough + original
 Many
examples, Well-researched
 Organization
 Citations directly from Rhetoric
 Concessions to provide subjectivity included

Dense + lengthy
 Overcomplicated
 Syntax
arrangement unusual
 Necessary evils perhaps

9. THE POWER OF SADDAM
HUSSEIN’S WAR
RHETORIC
GARY W. BROWN
Chris Killeen + Gabriella Gonzalez

10. Author + Essay



Gary W. Brown
Five Speeches
Author uses neoAristotelian criticism to
examine the context in
which the speeches
were presented and
measure the success
of Hussein’s rhetoric
for the intended
audience

11. Context of Essay


The readers (our personal) context when
approaching the essay (we’re approaching the
topic with Western Ideologies, but Brown is
not)
Understand the cultural context (historical
context about the speeches)

12. Research Question

Purpose of the essay:
 How
was Hussein’s rhetoric viewed from the
perspective of his own people or of the people
of Iraq’s neighboring nations?

13. Application of the 5 Canons





Invention: .
 Koran, Traditional Arab tribal laws, Arab unity against “evil western
society”
Organization:
 quotes from Koran, praise of strength and courage of Iraqis against
air raids. Tell Iraq’s people they will be victorious. Criticize the west,
and plea for other Arabs to help
Style:
 Classic Arabic dialect is used for authoritative, diplomatic and
religious tones.
Memory:
 prepared beforehand
Delivery:
 voice is dynamic, energetic, and passionate.

14. Conclusion
Was the method of criticism used clearly
and competently?.
 context contains: The Rhetor, the
occasion, and the audience.
 Brown made links between Saddam’s
rhetorical efforts, past, and character.

 Ethos
 Pathos
 Logos

15. What Knowledge Has Been
Gained?

It is a good or a poor example?

Did the speech evoke the intended response
from the intended audience?

Author’s stance