Final answer:
The highlighted portions of Obama's first inaugural address typically use rhetorical devices such as metaphors, imagery, allusions, and similes to convey his vision and inspire the nation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The highlighted portions of Obama's first inaugural address are likely to be examples of rhetorical devices such as metaphors, imagery, allusions, and simile. A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things by stating one thing is another, for instance, saying, "My love, you are a rose." This contrasts with a simile, which compares two different things using "like" or "as," as in "My darling, you are like a rose." Imagery involves using descriptive language that can appeal to the physical senses to form mental images, while allusions are indirect references to other texts, historical events, or significant figures.
Presidential inaugural speeches often employ these rhetorical devices to inspire, unify, and convey their vision for the nation. For instance, Franklin Roosevelt's "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself," is a powerful use of metaphor. Similarly, when presidents use references to historical events or figures, they are using allusions to evoke shared knowledge or feelings. These devices enhance the speech's impact and memorability.