On the speaking of John L. Lewis

Abstract

One of the most important criteria in rhetorical judgment is generally recognized to relate to effect, both immediate and long range. Another important criterion concerns the orator's use of rhetorical devices, and their results. When the same rhetorical devices often produce favorable results with one set of audiences, and prove not to be so favorably received when used with other audiences, the critic does well to examine a) the personal background of the orator he is studying and b) the history of the movement or system of ideas the orator represents. It is proposed in this paper first to illustrate the kind of ethical appeal or attack so often used by John L. Lewis, then to trace the historical and personal background which helped produce this approach, and finally to examine its results in a typical speech dealing primarily with labor, and in typical speeches of political as well as labor orientation.