Rhetorical devices

Direct Address

In his “Pearl Harbor” speech, Franklin D. Roosevelt uses very few rhetorical devices. He mainly relies on direct address, which helps him connect with the American people. For example, a direct address is used when Roosevelt talks about the American people as a whole, claiming that they all share the same views: “The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation”.

Direct address is also used when Roosevelt identifies with the American people: “we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us”. Here, the plural “we” shows that America’s safety concerns the president a...