Off-campus South Dakota State University users: To download campus access theses, please use the following link to log into our proxy server with your South Dakota State University ID and password.
Non-South Dakota State University users: Please talk to your librarian about requesting this thesis through interlibrary loan.
Document Type
Thesis - University Access Only
Award Date
2012
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department / School
English
First Advisor
Michael Keller
Abstract
This thesis addresses the analytical deficiencies of the popular press in describing and elucidating Obama’s rhetoric during the 2008 Presidential Campaign by closely examining four speeches, their contexts within the campaign, and the commentary surrounding them to give a richer account of what exactly could be called Obama’s “rhetoric.” Moving from an Aristotelian reading of Obama’s Democratic National Convention Keynote Address to an examination of speeches that embody his racial identity, his religious identity, and his unique pop cultural appeal, the thesis suggests that a broad interpretation of rhetoric best elucidates Obama’s negotiation of his varying identities.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Obama, Barack
Presidents -- United States -- Election -- 2008
Rhetoric -- Political Aspects -- United States -- History -- 21st century
Communication in politics -- United States -- History -- 21st century
Description
Includes bibliographical references (pages 99-103).
Format
application/pdf
Number of Pages
134
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Rights
Copyright © 2012 Steve Binkley
Recommended Citation
Binkley, Steve, "A Rhetorical Examination of the Barack Obama Phenomenon in the 2008 Presidential Campaign" (2012). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1342.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/1342