Obama's 2016 State of the Union Speech

This speech is divided into two different formats. How does President Obama's point of view define them?

In paragraph 7, what counterargument does Obama provide against the idea that Americans are divided by identity?

What is President Obama trying to tell the American people?

• The American people need help.

• We need to stop what we are doing.

• The country is succeeding.

Which appeal does Obama use most in paragraphs 9 through 14?

• Appeal to logic

• Appeal to ethics and rules

• Appeal to emotion

• Appeal to order

Read this rhetorical statement from paragraph 7.

"Voices that help us see ourselves not, first and foremost, as black or white, or Asian or Latino, not as gay or straight, immigrant or native born, not as Democrat or Republican, but as Americans first, bound by a common creed."

The author included these words to express -

• a claim

• a conclusion

• a concession

• a counterargument

In paragraph 6, why does Obama stop using the plural we and shift to second person you in addressing the audience?

• He is telling his audience directly that they have to do something.

• He is separating himself from the rest of the audience who need to act.

• He is speaking for himself and his personal opinion, not just as President.

• He is placing blame on his audience for problems that were not his fault.

In paragraphs 9 through 14, Obama mentions different Americans in order to -

• point fingers at those keeping Americans from working together

• call attention to various individuals who have done incredible things

• cite examples of ordinary citizens who display good citizenship

• avoid using their real names and identifying them, which would embarrass them.

The tone for the speech can best be described as -

• hopeful

• factual

• stern

• whimsical

Which line from the speech reveals Obama's purpose for making these remarks?

• And whether we like it nor not, the pace of this change will only accelerate.

• America is Thomas Edison and the Wright Brothers and George Washington Carver.

• We've protected an open Internet, and taken bold new steps to get more students and low-income Americans online.

• And that's why I stand here confident as I have ever been that the state of our union is strong.