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Analysis of the Rhetorical Devices in Obama’s Public Speeches
Li Fengjie,
Ren Jia,
Zhang Yingying
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 4, July 2016
Pages:
141-146
Received:
26 May 2016
Accepted:
14 June 2016
Published:
15 July 2016
Abstract: A successful speech can not only spur loud applause of the audience but also enlighten them. Public speech is made to exert much influence on the public in a short time, thus achieving the speech-maker’s aim. Being one of the most powerful Presidents in the history of the United States, Obama has been asserting himself among the American people via his enthusiastic and infectious speech. There are many factors attributing to Obama’s success in speech, one of which is that he skillfully applies a variety of rhetorical devices in his various speeches. Therefore, it’s needed to analyze rhetorical devices and their effects in some of his speeches to provide reference for the people who want to make a brilliant speech. With language rhetoric of Neo-Aristotle rhetoric as the theoretical framework, this paper will study four of Obama’s speeches from the perspective of lexical devices, phonological devices and syntactical devices in order to explore the functions of applying these three categories of rhetorical devices. Seven rhetorical devices are to be discussed with regard to their applications and effects in Obama’s speeches. They are alliteration, simile, metaphor, metonymy, synecdoche, antithesis and parallelism. Finally, some suggestions on speech and rhetoric devices will be offered.
Abstract: A successful speech can not only spur loud applause of the audience but also enlighten them. Public speech is made to exert much influence on the public in a short time, thus achieving the speech-maker’s aim. Being one of the most powerful Presidents in the history of the United States, Obama has been asserting himself among the American people via...
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A Study of the International Students’ Motivation to Study Chinese
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 4, July 2016
Pages:
147-152
Received:
8 July 2016
Accepted:
18 July 2016
Published:
29 July 2016
Abstract: Many linguists, such as Lightbown & Spada, have proved that motivation is very important for language learning, especially for the second language learning. Chinese language is the compulsory course in many universities in China and many international students, especially the undergraduates major in technology or engineering can’t do it well. Through the survey and analysis of it, this study shows that teachers had put too much attention on sparing international students’ extrinsic motivation and ignores the intrinsic motivation. The effective teaching method is sparing students’ intrinsic motivation from the perspective of Chinese culture.
Abstract: Many linguists, such as Lightbown & Spada, have proved that motivation is very important for language learning, especially for the second language learning. Chinese language is the compulsory course in many universities in China and many international students, especially the undergraduates major in technology or engineering can’t do it well. Throu...
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The Other Side of Social Networks: An Ubuntu Approach
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 4, July 2016
Pages:
153-156
Received:
24 March 2016
Accepted:
24 June 2016
Published:
2 August 2016
Abstract: The study provides the results of a content based analysis carried out on one hundred and fifty Face book profiles. Using the tenets of Ubuntu, the study sought to find out if the social networking communities are still abiding to the dictates of Ubuntu. The study revealed that a large percentage of the content on FB shows some elements of Ubuntu and an insignificant percentage of the content on FB shows little or no elements of Ubuntu. The elements of Ubuntu which were observed by the researcher are respect, compassion, love, sharing, tolerance and solidarity. The study revealed that, the need to be accepted, age, people’s background and relationships affect the way people behave on FB. The study concludes that Face book is being used by African people to remind, instill and perpetrate the values of Ubuntu in its users.
Abstract: The study provides the results of a content based analysis carried out on one hundred and fifty Face book profiles. Using the tenets of Ubuntu, the study sought to find out if the social networking communities are still abiding to the dictates of Ubuntu. The study revealed that a large percentage of the content on FB shows some elements of Ubuntu a...
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