Question

On April 9, 1964, Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson, who was at the time the First Lady of the United States, gave the following speech at the first anniversary luncheon of the Eleanor Roosevelt Memorial Foundation. The foundation is a nonprofit division of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library dedicated to the works of former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who passed away in 1962. Read the passage carefully. Write an essay that analyzes the rhetorical choices Johnson makes to achieve her purpose of paying tribute to Eleanor Roosevelt.

In your response you should do the following:

• Respond to the prompt with a thesis that analyzes the writer’s rhetorical choices.

• Select and use evidence to support your line of reasoning.

• Explain how the evidence supports your line of reasoning.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the rhetorical situation.

• Use appropriate grammar and punctuation in communicating your argument.

Answer 1

Lady Bird Johnson, in her speech commemorating Eleanor Roosevelt, strategically employs rhetorical devices to honor Roosevelt's legacy.

How to explain

Johnson's use of emotive language, such as "a light that could never be extinguished," evokes a sense of reverence and eternal admiration for Roosevelt's enduring impact (evidence).

Her deliberate choice of parallelism, evident in phrases like "inspired by her courage, moved by her compassion," accentuates Roosevelt's multifaceted character, highlighting her as a source of inspiration and empathy (evidence).

By employing these rhetorical choices, Johnson successfully emphasizes Roosevelt's lasting influence and multifaceted nature, appealing to the audience's emotions and underscoring the significance of Roosevelt's contributions to society, effectively achieving her purpose of paying homage to Eleanor Roosevelt.