Dear Donald Trump,
I am writing to you regarding the presidential announcement speech you gave at the Trump tower in New York, which I will go over to analyse a number of techniques you use throughout in order to persuade your audience in order to earn more votes. More specifically, in this letter I will focus on your use of repetition and pronouns and how they serve your speech when using it to attract and persuade your audience, and how they make it affective. However firstly I will look at your use of simplistic language.
I took notice of the fact that your speeches are worded in a simple way. The diction and syntax in the presidential announcement speech is easy to follow along to, understand and therefore remember. The language used appeals to the majority of the American population. "I think I am a nice person. People that know me, like me." Not only do you use short and simple sentences most of your words are either one or two syllables long, making whatever you claim easy to remember and believable. The diction used does not involve any sophistication and pushes the American population to follow along and hence express more interest in what you are saying. The interest sparked leads to support, which is mainly reached through grabbing the attention of the vast majority of America's population that would otherwise not understand the language used amongst the other candidates. There is a large number of America's population who have been listening to presidential speeches without fully understanding them and have seen presidents get elected through the use of sophisticated diction and not achieve much change. Therefore the population will only be more likely to vote for someone that appears different, in which case this is you. The short sentences and simple diction portray you as someone who is down to earth and unlike the others, hence might actually make a change. This, I believe also brings you votes.
Secondly I focussed on your use of rhetorical devices, one of, which is most commonly used is repetition. Your use of repetition, of words in sentences, points in speeches or sayings in general serve to highlight ideas or create an over-arching theme. Upon speaking of Obama being a negative force in your speech, you refer to him as a 'cheerleader' around four times. This repetition of the word cheerleader is not only apparent throughout the paragraph but there is also a clear assonance between the words "cheerleader" and "leader". The word "cheerleader" is primarily used to put down Obama and this is done so by disregarding him as a "leader". In other words saying that he is merely a cheerleader. However later on you disregard him as a 'cheerleader' as well, only to repeat the idea one more time before the end of the paragraph. The repetition of the word cheerleader allows you to further push down Obama upon developing of the meaning and importance of the word 'cheerleader'. To which Obama is compared to one last time in order to say he isn't motivating enough to even be a cheerleader, let alone be a leader. The development in importance of the word 'cheerleader' throughout the paragraph makes Obama appear too small for even such a title, that seemed humiliating at the start of the paragraph. This positions the name Trump higher up and indirectly makes you superior as you are delivering the message. Such repetition is used numerous times throughout your speech not only to change the idea behind other words but repetitions helps the audience remember your message. Hence are more likely to listen the next time.
Lastly I have taken notice of yet another rhetorical device used for the duration of most your speeches, your use of pronouns. Not only do you include pronouns to create a feeling of unity and belief, you use pronouns in contrary, to distance others. "I get elected president I will bring it back bigger and better". The use of the personal pronoun 'I' appeals to ethos. In other words, placing this pronoun by events that seem difficult or by placing it in a sentence with strong adjectives such as 'bigger' and 'better' serves to make the audience believe and have faith in the strength of your character. Making them more likely to follow you. However once you have built upon your character you move on to using pronouns such as 'we' in order to involve the audience and make them believe they are part of this team. Subconsciously this feeds their ego and where one places themselves, therefore they will almost always be willing to corporate or support (vote for) you. However you use pronouns such as 'they' when referring to nations that, according to you, are a disadvantage to America. "They kill us" In this case you were referring to China, you actually used both pronouns. 'us' and 'they' upon doing so you create a comparison between the two nations and make China seem as if they are against you and hence everyone who follows or agrees with you. This a good way to make it seem as if only America is great and everyone else below you is a negative force. Again this is how people start to believe whatever you say and discount the fact that your decisions may be wrong. They follow you blindly.
In conclusion I admire the methods you use while speaking to your audience as I can see that clearly they are working well for you. Your use of simple language, repetition and of pronouns undeniably attract the audience and their support. This is what I believe helped you come to where you stand at the moment and gain the number of votes you did. However I do as well believe that a number of you values and attitudes towards others are misplaced and may stop you from winning the election.
Best Regards
-Eva
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