Winning the Future

      Recently, President Obama spoke to the Penn State community about energy conservation and technological advances being made. It’s true that people are becoming more and more aware of the need to “go green”, and President Obama’s speech was very fitting. In his speech he took advantage of both kairos and exigency. He was able to discuss an issue that calls people to action and did so under the right circumstances. He took heed of his audience and understood the importance of word choice. His delivery, his style, and his tone all contributed to a speech that made one actually want to listen.
     Because President Obama was speaking on a college campus, it was important that he understand his audience and how to connect with them. By assessing the situation, he was able to deliver a speech that was worthwhile and pertinent. He discussed the importance of fostering the construction of energy efficient buildings, as well as investing in research that will aid in discovering new ways to conserve energy. He stressed how this investment will lead to new jobs and contribute to a better economy.
      Although important topics were discussed within President Obama’s speech, it was truly his use of rhetorical devices that made his speech so poignant. He clearly assessed the rhetorical situation and was able to step into a kairotic moment and left the audience with an important message. President Obama covered many areas, but most importantly he endorsed change. He challenged the audience to take advantage of new resarech opportunities, to understand the importance of saving our environment, and what it would really mean if we all “go green.” He asked the audience to think about the future, to invest in it. By building off of his theme of “Winning the Future”, President Obama spoke of an issue essential in today’s political arena and used a plethora of rhetorical devices that really allowed him to drive his point home.