English 1302 Jimmy Carter's Crisis of Confidence Speech

English 1302
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Jimmy Carter’s Crisis of Confidence Speech
Question 1
The main claim of Carter’s Crisis of Confidence speech is the energy crisis and its effect on America's National Development. This is a policy claim. A policy claim usually states the nature of the problem and the strategies that can be implemented to solve the problem. This claim is introduced to the audience as Carter begins his speech thus making it the main claim. It also holds throughout the body and in conclusion. The nature of the energy crisis is stated as the overdependence on foreign oil, lack of confidence in people and poor attitude. The strategies to be implemented include; setting import quotas, development of alternative sources, utility companies in the nation to reduce their oil consumption, energy mobilization board formation, and a conservation program.
Question 2
The lack of confidence among the American people is a minor claim in the speech. It comes into the body, and it is stated as the major reason for why the main claim exists. Lack of confidence is the major cause of the energy crisis in America. It is a valuable claim. The Speaker, Mr. Carter, is advocating that lack of confidence is wrong and immoral because it is threatening national development. He says,” The erosion of our confidence in the future is threatening to destroy the social and the political fabric of America.” In addition, he stresses that it was this confidence and faith that laid the foundation of the nation. He says that lack of confidence by Americans has resulted in disrespect of the public institutions and the government which is morally wrong.
Question 3
To challenge Americans to support his plan of energy conservation, Carters does a good job by employing ethos. In his speech, he puts himself in the shoes of an ordinary American such that he sounds like a former farmer from Georgia with very humble beginnings. This adds him sustainability and credibility. The statement, "And I'm asking you for your good, and the nation's security to take no unnecessary trips uses caps…" This hortative statement makes him win ethos in his audience something the speech is after. Through this, the audience could easily understand the speech as it will have a logical appeal and thus make sense.
Question 4
In his 6-point energy conservation plan, Carter will provide concrete goals for the outcome of his plan in the future. A good example of the statement he used is, "Moreover; I will soon submit legislation to Congress calling for the creation of this nation's first solar bank, which will help us achieve the crucial goal of twenty percent of our energy coming from solar power by the year 2000." Further statements say that the percentage will be a benchmark through which the nation will gauge its independence of energy from other nations. He also provides alternative sources, for instance, solar energy. By this, he employs quantitative evidence to create a rational, objective argument among his audience.
Question 5
In several quotes that Carter used in his speech for emphasis, he achieved pathos. One of the quotes was, "Some People have wasted energy, but others have had nothing to waste...