education

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Speeches made by
James K. Polk
By Angel Ortiz

2. Third Annual Message

3.  Speech made on December 7, 1847.
 Very interesting to see how Polk starts his first
sentence, usually Polk is extremely formal, yet he
starts off with an informal statement. This allows for
the common people to build a connection with him
right at the beginning of the speech.
 He also uses the suppression of expression, and
generalizes everything to the people.
 “How unimportant are all our differences of opinion
upon minor questions of public policy compared
with its preservation, and how scrupulously should
we avoid all agitating topics which may tend to
distract and divide us into contending parties,
separated by geographical lines, whereby it may be
weakened or endangered.”
Rhetoric

4. Inaugural Address

5.  At this time the state of the country was
starting to get divided as the issue of slavery in
Texas was the subject of huge debate.
 “our Constitution. Texas was once a part of our
country—” the use of “our” helps Polk
generalize his statements and have the people
listening consider themselves as unified.
 Polk also does not make himself known as a
ruler, but rather someone who has risen to
power through the help of the people.
Background/Rhetoric

6.  Polk also uses religion to connect everyone with a
higher power, and I have seen religion used like this
in many presidential speeches.
 It is also interesting to note that Polk’s inauguration
speech was many citizen’s first exposure to Polk
himself. Therefore, it was important for Polk to
make am impactful first impression. Polk remained
humble in order to do this.
 I enter upon the discharge of the high duties which
have been assigned me by the people, again humbly
supplicating that Divine Being who has watched
over and protected our beloved country from its
infancy to the present hour
More on his Inaugural
Address

7. Address to Congress

8. Background/Rhetoric
 This speech was particularly interesting to me
because it calls for a declaration of war against
Mexico.
 “that it is my anxious desire not only to
terminate hostilities speedily”
 Not only does his tone change dramatically, but
his diction also becomes more aggressive,
which helps him make a much more powerful
speech.

9.  With regards to the lessons we have covered
this week, it is interesting to see how rhetoric
and performance has a significant impact on
the way a speech is interpreted.
 Although I could not see a video performance
of Polk’s speeches, from the way he wrote he
clearly used language and suppression to
appeal to all citizens together.
Overview

10.  History.com Writers. "James K. Polk Photo Gallery."
Http://www.history.com/photos/james-k-polk. History
Channel, 23 May 2009. Web. 3 July 2015.
 Miller Center Contributors. "Miller Center."
American President: James Knox Polk. Miller Center, 12
Oct. 2008. Web. 28 June 2015.
 Polk Contributors. "About James K. Polk | James K.
Polk Home." About James K. Polk | James K. Polk
Home. President Polk Home and Museum, 24 Apr.
2010. Web. 28 June 2015.
Works Cited