Thomas Jefferson’s Inaugural Address

Casey Morris

Historical Context• Topic- The past, present, and future of the United States• Purpose- Inaugural address. He wants to thank, support,

and unite the people. • When- March 4,1801 • Where- White House in Washington DC • Audience- White males who could vote. • Historical significance- The first president to hold the

Inauguration at the White House. First election with two political parties.

Strategy • Time and Place- A brand new, important

location for the president. The Country was still very young.

• Circumstances- He had to prove that he was going to be the right president.

• Audience-Mostly supporters of Jefferson. Maybe some Federalists.

Tone• His tone changes • Start: Thankful and appreciative • Middle: Empowering and confident• End: Empowering and unifying • One paragraph is angry and frustrated.

Modes of Persuasion• Pathos- First person plural (we, us).– Issued stressed: Equality and freedoms of the

people and government.• Ethos- Bill of Rights, Constitution,

Constitutional Convention, and the start of the USA.

• Logos: No statistics of fallacies.

Organization• Start- He thanks voters for choosing him. “…my fellow

citizens which is here assembled to express my grateful thanks”

• Thesis- “Utterly, indeed, should I despair not the presence of many whom I here see remind me that in the other high authorities provided by our Constitution I shall fin resources of wisdom, of virtue and of zeal on which to rely under all difficulties.”

• Speech flow- Thanks, unities, states his platform, asks for support.

• End- Ask for support and for confidence in “we”.

Literary Devices & Other Techniques

• Imagery- “A rising nation, spread over a wide and fruitful land, traversing all the seas with the rich productions of their industry…”

• Metaphor- “… for that guidance and support which may enable us to steer with safety the vessel in which we are embarked amidst…”

• Allusions- “…freedom of religion, freedom of the press and freedom of person under the protection of habeas corpus…”

Literary Devices & Other Techniques

• Rhetorical Question- “Can he, then, be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels in the forms of kings to govern him?”

• Parallel wording, juxtaposition of opposites , and humor are not used.

Nonverbal Communication• We can’t know what his exact nonverbal

communication was because it wasn’t recorded.

• He was said not be a strong public speaker so he spent a lot of time writing them to perfection.