PHL/251 Version 6
Part 1
Matrix
Question
Author/Speaker
Purpose/Thesis
Support of the thesis or
claim
Identify three rhetorical
devices or fallacies you
find in your text.
Part 2
Short-Essay Response
Write a 350- to 700-word response explaining either why or why you were not convinced by the
argument.
While I believe President Obama is a great speaker and can be very persuasive, his speech did
not convince me to support the USA Freedom Act. I mistrust all politicians, regardless of political
party, and for that reason I dont believe most of the things they say. This speech, like most
political speeches, was too vague. It spoke of President Obamas beliefs on the matter, what he
claimed would happen if the USA Freedom Act was not passed, and what the benefits of it
passing would be. However, it didnt give very many specifics as to what the USA Freedom Act
actually allowed. President Obama did mention a few things, such as the roving wiretap, that
helped government officials better track terrorist, but when it came to the transparency the USA
Freedom Act would add to, there was nothing specific mentioned. I believe this was done
intentionally to play on the American peoples fear of possible terrorist attacks, while attempting to
calm their fear of the government over stepping itself and limiting peoples freedoms and
infringing on their privacy. I think the speech was designed this way, as many are, to be
persuasive and gain support while still being vague enough so that if things do come to light that
shows how the USA Freedom Act will actually infringe on our privacy rights, President Obama
cannot be called a liar. Thats not to say the USA Freedom Act will do such things, I do not know
enough about it to speak on that, but this speech is clearly leaving plenty of wiggle room for
things unmentioned. I feel like this is a common occurrence in many political speeches, not
necessarily lying, but leaving out parts and being vague enough so that it could be interpreted
several ways. By having some specifics that clearly sound good and leaving out details on other
parts, such as the transparency, the President can sound like he is supporting the peoples best
interest while still leaving room for things the people may not like or support. While I wouldnt say
I am opposed to the USA Freedom Act because of this speech, it would take more specific
information for me to support it.