1. Andrew Paladino
Concepts and Perspectives in Rhetorical Theory
Rhetorical Analysis 2
March 24, 2015
In chapter six of Rhetorical Theory, Timothy Borchers highlights an incredibly
important extension of rhetoric proposed by academic theorist Kenneth Burke: the
theory of Dramatism. Dramatism, according to Burke, “is a method of analysis and a
corresponding critique of terminology designed to show that the most direct root to
the study of human relations and human motives from a methodological inquiry into
cycles or clusters of terms and their functions” (Borchers, 2006). In simpler terms,
dramatism is the study of how language and other symbolic systems create the
rhetorical world’s through which we live (Borchers, 2006). Burke defines many
counterparts to his theory, but most importantly, he emphasizes humans and their
use of symbolism.
Burke suggests that humans use symbols in order to imagine, select, create,
and define a particular situation. (Borchers, 2006) We can do these things simply
by giving an entity a name. Naming things allows humans to apply specific feelings
to what they name, and attitudes are created as a result. Symbols may be used in a
negative light, to produce systems of hierarchy, create the notions of perfection, and
to explain how we identify ourselves with one another. Burke suggested that they’re
various ways we frame symbolic experiences and created the theory of The Pentad
to help us understand the relationship between thought and words (Borchers,
2006). The Pentad is key in understanding the article “Remarks by the President
After Grand Jury Decision in Ferguson, Missouri” because the pentad defines an act, a
scene, an agent, an agency, and most importantly, a purpose.

2. Andrew Paladino
Concepts and Perspectives in Rhetorical Theory
Rhetorical Analysis 2
March 24, 2015
As president Obama addressed the issue of the shooting of 18 year old, Mike
Brown, he gives some insight on the existing racial tensions in America and provides
ways in which the distrust between law enforcement and communities of color can
be strengthened. He uses the notions of the Pentad to develop an argument. He first
addresses the act (the thing that takes place), or the shooting of Mike Brown by
Officer Darren Wilson. Although he does not address his own opinions on the
matter, he gives simple truths regarding outcomes that took place in court. “We are
a nation built on the rule of law, an we need to accept that this decision was the grand
jury’s to make” (Obama, 2014) Obama lends light on the fact the Americans,
regardless of race, color, ethnicity or religion, have no control on the outcome of the
act.
Obama then explains the action further through his understanding of a
particular scene (Context or background of the action) (Borchers, 2006). The action
took place in Ferguson, Missouri late one evening. Michael Brown was walking with
a friend and soon found himself in a disagreement with a police officer or as further
emphasized through Burke’s Pentadic Theory, the agent (person or persons who
performed the act)(Borchers, 2006). With the importance of the president’s
neutrality on the conflict in mind, we see that Obama lends light on reasons why
Officer Wilson may have owned the right to pull the trigger that night. “Understand,
our police officers put their lives on the lines for us every single day. They’ve got a
tough job to do to maintain public safety and hold accountable those who break the

3. Andrew Paladino
Concepts and Perspectives in Rhetorical Theory
Rhetorical Analysis 2
March 24, 2015
law” (Obama, 2014). He emphasizes his neutrally further by stating, “there are
good people on both sides of this debate”
The Agency or the means through which the action takes place (Borchers,
2006) is a crucial point in understanding the debate. The agency in this particular
act was the gun fired by Officer Warren in order to kill Mike Brown. The agency was
used for means of action for the heavily debated reason of “protection”. Did Warren
make use of the agency for protection, or for means of racial violence? This is where
Obama lends various levels of insight on the purpose.
In Burke’s Pentad, the purpose or reason the action takes place (Borchers,
2006), is the reason for which Obama has decided to state his remarks and perhaps
the reason racial tensions are prevalent as a result of the many previous acts. The
purpose is the source of the debate. On one side of the debate, many Americans
believe that Officer Warren had the right of law to shoot Mike Brown because of the
ambiguous situation that would have resulted if he had not. The other side of the
debate suggests that Warren shot Mike Brown for reasons that convey police
brutality, racial injustice, principles of discrimination, and the assumptions that lead
many to believe “He was shot because of his color.”
Obama in a sense disregards the purpose and instead provides insight on how
these types of conflicts can be fixed. Many of his statements reflect the core of his
belief in effort to change what others believe. “We need to recognize that this is not
just an issue for Ferguson, this is an issue for America.” He provides ways through
which the purpose of the conflict can be fixed. “But these are real issues. And we have

4. Andrew Paladino
Concepts and Perspectives in Rhetorical Theory
Rhetorical Analysis 2
March 24, 2015
to lift them up and not deny them or tramp them down. We need to understand them
and figure out how do we make progress. That won’t be done by throwing bottles. That
won’t be done by breaking car windows. That certainly won’t be done by using this as
an excuse to vandalize property” (Obama, 2014)
Burke’s creation of the Pentad was revolutionary in the sense that it is a tool
of analysis that lets us trace how our worlds are constructed through rhetoric
(Borchers, 2006). Obama, the rhetor himself, uses the pentad to trace how the two
different worlds created by the opposing forces of the conflict exist. He uses the
Pentad to make connections between the two worlds created and to provide means
through which we can exist happily in one collective world, as opposed to two
distant worlds. Burke coined the term identification to understand the relationship
between two different people. If we share similar interests with another, we identify
with them. Unfortunately, Identification is a moralizing force in our culture
(Borchers, 2006). It takes responsibility for the debate at hand. What Obama is
attempting to establish however, is the ability for others to identify with him, the
orator. His purpose is to establish persuasion that might lead individuals to
establish positive action for the future.