Question

Using the excerpt from the speech, identify the central idea. In 2–3 sentences, explain how the author could have made his speech more effective.

Obedient to that precept of the Constitution which commands the President to give from time to time to the Congress information of the state of the Union and to recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient, it becomes my duty now to address your body with regard to the grave crisis that has arisen in the relations of the United States to Spain by reason of the warfare that for more than three years has raged in the neighboring island of Cuba.


I do so because of the intimate connection of the Cuban question with the state of our own Union and the grave relation the course which it is now incumbent upon the nation to adopt must needs bear to the traditional policy of our government if it is to accord with the precepts laid down by the founders of the republic and religiously observed by succeeding administrations to the present day.


The present revolution is but the successor of other similar insurrections which have occurred in Cuba against the dominion of Spain, extending over a period of nearly half a century, each of which, during its progress, has subjected the United States to great effort and expense in enforcing its neutrality laws, caused enormous losses to American trade and commerce, caused irritation, annoyance, and disturbance among our citizens, and, by the exercise of cruel, barbarous, and uncivilized practices of warfare, shocked the sensibilities and offended the humane sympathies of our people.


~U.S. President William McKinley, authorization request to Congress to declare war on Spain, April 11, 1898
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Answer 1

The central idea of the excerpt is the President's obligation to address the Congress about the state of the Union and the need to recommend measures for their consideration, especially in relation to the crisis between the United States and Spain due to the warfare in Cuba. The excerpt highlights the connection of the Cuban issue with the country's traditional policy and the adverse effects of the previous similar revolts on American trade, commerce, citizens, and moral values.

To make his speech more effective, the author could have included more vivid and emotional language to generate greater public support for his position, such as appeals to patriotism and justice. Additionally, he could have provided more specific details about the nature of the conflict in Cuba and its impact on U.S. interests, as well as more concrete proposals for resolving the crisis.