Analysis #1 Response

Analysis #1—Classic Literary Criticism—Aristotle
For this first analysis the class has been discussing classical literary criticism focusing on three classical theorists; Gorgias, Plato, Aristotle, and Longinus. In order to illustrate an understanding and correlation between one of these theorists and society today I have created a connection between one of these theorists and a YouTube clip. The theorist I have selected is Aristotle, focusing particularly on his later text On Rhetoric. I will explain the YouTube clip, which illustrates the first segment of the presidential debate of 1960 between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.
This YouTube clip is from the first segment of four derived from the first ever presidential debate which aired on September 26th 1960. This debate is between Senator John F. Kennedy of the Democratic Party and Vice President Richard Nixon from the Republican Party. One key element to this presidential debate is that it was not only the first ever presidential debate, but also the fist televised debate. However an interesting widespread dynamic is that those listening on the radio believed Nixon to be the winner; whereas, Americans watching the debate believed Kennedy to be the clear winner. This segment is dominated by Senator Kennedy’s opening argument, and the last three minutes by Vice president Nixon’s rebuttal. For this reason, I will focus largely on connecting Kennedy’s remarks to the elements that Aristotle depicts in his text.
One crucial element that Aristotle elaborates on in his text On Rhetoric is his three appeals. These three appeals can be coupled with the “Kennedy-Nixon Debate ¼ (1960)” to explain how these appeals are still prevalent in society centuries later. Each of the three appeals is illustrated in this video in Kennedy’s opening. The reason that this presidential debate has so many correlations to Aristotle’s three appeals is because of persuasion. Aristotle writes in On Rhetoric, “Persuasion occurs through the arguments when we show the truth or the apparent truth from whatever is persuasive in each case” (116). Persuasion is key in any presidential debate, because each candidate is essentially trying to win their over country, or to triumph over their opponent. Therefore each of these three appeals will be prevalent in this debate.
The first appeal is logos or the appeal to logic. In any political debate or intelligible argument an appeal to logic is crucial. Kennedy adheres to the logical appeal by elaborating on relevant concerns that the American public is concerned with in his argument. He discusses topics such as the Cold War, the fear of communism, economic instability, slavery, and various other relevant topics. In doing so he uses evidence, names of Communist powers, and their plans to instill fear in the American public; however, comfort by his proposed resolution to the issue of the rise and spread of communism.
In using these relevant examples of real world issues Kennedy also elaborates on a second appeal; ethos. In focusing on these real world issues all Americans are facing, Kennedy gains their trust. He uses ethos by focusing on the fears and concerns of the American public, both foreign and domestic issues. By illustrating these he is describing how they can both affect the American standard of living. Since he is running for office he has various foreign and domestic information outlets that the American public does not have access to and therefore can be seen as an authority figure for America to trust in.
The final of Aristotle’s appeals that Kennedy uses is possibly the most influential; pathos or an appeal to emotion. Overall, regardless of the viable factual evidence given by the candidate, regardless of the points that he makes on foreign and domestic issues, the way that he makes a voter feel outweighs everything. This is when the dominating element of persuasion comes into play. As Aristotle describes in his text On Rhetoric, “[There is persuasion] through the hearers when they are led to feel emotion [pathos] by speech; for we do not give the same judgment when grieved and rejoicing or when being friendly and hostile” (116). Kennedy opens strong in this debate. He exhibits his goals and desires for the up and coming nation and for its people. He speaks of hope, freedom, growth and wealth in the United States. Each of these elements is so important to Americans. These are all examples of appeals to emotion that Kennedy uses in his speech.
It is clear that Aristotle’s three appeals are still prevalent centuries later in public speaking, and they can be applied to various other examples as well.

Works Cited
Aristotle. On Rhetoric. The Norton Anthology of Theory & Criticism Second Edition. Ed. Vincent Leitch. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2010. 115-119.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6Xn4ipHiwE&feature=fvw