In the first and second paragraphs of "War Message to Congress," Wilson establishes pathos, an emotional appeal, primarily by referencing the loss of American lives. By bringing attention to the human cost of the conflict and the sacrifices made by individuals, he evokes feelings of sorrow, anger, and the moral urgency for action. This emotional connection helps to rally support for his call to war and emphasizes the seriousness of the situation. While he initially suggests to "put excited feelings away" to address the issue rationally, the underlying emotion comes through in his recognition of the human impact of the war. The mention of American lives lost serves to tap into the audience's empathy and sense of national duty.
In the first and second paragraphs of "War Message to Congress," how does Wilson establish pathos, an appeal based on emotions?
He says to “put excited feelings away.”
He references his title and position.
He talks about the US lives lost.
He cites facts about the German aim.
11 answers
Read the excerpt from President Woodrow Wilson’s speech, “War Message to Congress.”
On the 3rd of February last I officially laid before you the extraordinary announcement of the Imperial German Government that on and after the 1st day of February it was its purpose to put aside all restraints of law or of humanity and use its submarines to sink every vessel that sought to approach either the ports of Great Britain and Ireland or the western coasts of Europe or any of the ports controlled by the enemies of Germany within the Mediterranean.
It is a war against all nations. American ships have been sunk, American lives taken, in ways which it has stirred us very deeply to learn of, but the ships and people of other neutral and friendly nations have been sunk and overwhelmed in the waters in the same way. There has been no discrimination. The challenge is to all mankind. Each nation must decide for itself how it will meet it. The choice we make for ourselves must be made with a moderation of counsel and a temperateness of judgment befitting our character and our motives as a nation. We must put excited feelings away. Our motive will not be revenge or the victorious assertion of the physical might of the nation, but only the vindication of right, of human right, of which we are only a single champion.
Who is the intended audience of this speech?
the Germans
Congress and the American people
the enemy
the Allies
On the 3rd of February last I officially laid before you the extraordinary announcement of the Imperial German Government that on and after the 1st day of February it was its purpose to put aside all restraints of law or of humanity and use its submarines to sink every vessel that sought to approach either the ports of Great Britain and Ireland or the western coasts of Europe or any of the ports controlled by the enemies of Germany within the Mediterranean.
It is a war against all nations. American ships have been sunk, American lives taken, in ways which it has stirred us very deeply to learn of, but the ships and people of other neutral and friendly nations have been sunk and overwhelmed in the waters in the same way. There has been no discrimination. The challenge is to all mankind. Each nation must decide for itself how it will meet it. The choice we make for ourselves must be made with a moderation of counsel and a temperateness of judgment befitting our character and our motives as a nation. We must put excited feelings away. Our motive will not be revenge or the victorious assertion of the physical might of the nation, but only the vindication of right, of human right, of which we are only a single champion.
Who is the intended audience of this speech?
the Germans
Congress and the American people
the enemy
the Allies
The intended audience of President Woodrow Wilson's speech, "War Message to Congress," is primarily Congress and the American people. Wilson addresses Congress to seek a declaration of war, aiming to gather support and convey the seriousness of the situation regarding German aggression. While the content also indirectly speaks to the broader context of the war and the implications for all nations, his immediate goal is to persuade Congress and the American populace of the necessity of the U.S. response.
Read the excerpt from President Woodrow Wilson’s speech, “War Message to Congress”.
On the 3rd of February last I officially laid before you the extraordinary announcement of the Imperial German Government that on and after the 1st day of February it was its purpose to put aside all restraints of law or of humanity and use its submarines to sink every vessel that sought to approach either the ports of Great Britain and Ireland or the western coasts of Europe or any of the ports controlled by the enemies of Germany within the Mediterranean.
It is a war against all nations. American ships have been sunk, American lives taken, in ways which it has stirred us very deeply to learn of, but the ships and people of other neutral and friendly nations have been sunk and overwhelmed in the waters in the same way. There has been no discrimination. The challenge is to all mankind. Each nation must decide for itself how it will meet it. The choice we make for ourselves must be made with a moderation of counsel and a temperateness of judgment befitting our character and our motives as a nation. We must put excited feelings away. Our motive will not be revenge or the victorious assertion of the physical might of the nation, but only the vindication of right, of human right, of which we are only a single champion.
Which best states if the speech is effective or ineffective?
ineffective because it still involves the U.S. in a World War
effective because President Wilson outlines the emotional reasons for entering the war
effective because President Wilson is a good, strong speaker
ineffective because the speech made Congress angry
On the 3rd of February last I officially laid before you the extraordinary announcement of the Imperial German Government that on and after the 1st day of February it was its purpose to put aside all restraints of law or of humanity and use its submarines to sink every vessel that sought to approach either the ports of Great Britain and Ireland or the western coasts of Europe or any of the ports controlled by the enemies of Germany within the Mediterranean.
It is a war against all nations. American ships have been sunk, American lives taken, in ways which it has stirred us very deeply to learn of, but the ships and people of other neutral and friendly nations have been sunk and overwhelmed in the waters in the same way. There has been no discrimination. The challenge is to all mankind. Each nation must decide for itself how it will meet it. The choice we make for ourselves must be made with a moderation of counsel and a temperateness of judgment befitting our character and our motives as a nation. We must put excited feelings away. Our motive will not be revenge or the victorious assertion of the physical might of the nation, but only the vindication of right, of human right, of which we are only a single champion.
Which best states if the speech is effective or ineffective?
ineffective because it still involves the U.S. in a World War
effective because President Wilson outlines the emotional reasons for entering the war
effective because President Wilson is a good, strong speaker
ineffective because the speech made Congress angry
The best statement regarding the effectiveness of the speech is "effective because President Wilson outlines the emotional reasons for entering the war." Wilson effectively communicates the gravity of the situation and appeals to both the emotions and moral responsibilities of the nation. By highlighting the indiscriminate attacks on not only American ships but also on neutral and friendly nations, he frames the war as a moral obligation and a fight for human rights, which aims to resonate deeply with Congress and the American public.
Which excerpt from paragraphs 1 to 3 of Wilson’s "War Message to Congress" appeals most to the audience’s emotions?
On the 3rd of February last I officially laid before you the extraordinary announcement of the Imperial German Government . . .
American ships have been sunk, American lives taken, in ways which it has stirred us very deeply to learn of . . .
There has been no discrimination. The challenge is to all mankind. Each nation must decide for itself how it will meet it.
The choice we make for ourselves must be made with a moderation of counsel and a temperateness of judgment befitting our character and our motives as a nation.
On the 3rd of February last I officially laid before you the extraordinary announcement of the Imperial German Government . . .
American ships have been sunk, American lives taken, in ways which it has stirred us very deeply to learn of . . .
There has been no discrimination. The challenge is to all mankind. Each nation must decide for itself how it will meet it.
The choice we make for ourselves must be made with a moderation of counsel and a temperateness of judgment befitting our character and our motives as a nation.
The excerpt that appeals most to the audience’s emotions is “American ships have been sunk, American lives taken, in ways which it has stirred us very deeply to learn of . . .” This statement directly addresses the loss of American lives and evokes feelings of sorrow and anger, making it a powerful emotional appeal. It emphasizes the human cost of the conflict and underscores the urgency of the situation, engaging the audience's compassion and sense of national duty.
Read the excerpt from President Woodrow Wilson’s speech, “War Message to Congress.”
We have no quarrel with the German people. We have no feeling towards them but one of sympathy and friendship. It was not upon their impulse that their Government acted in entering this war. It was not with their previous knowledge or approval.
Which best states the type of appeal that is in the excerpt?
ethos, an appeal based on the speaker’s character
logos, an appeal based on logic or reason
pathos, an appeal based on emotion
force, an appeal based on the audience’s fear of harm
We have no quarrel with the German people. We have no feeling towards them but one of sympathy and friendship. It was not upon their impulse that their Government acted in entering this war. It was not with their previous knowledge or approval.
Which best states the type of appeal that is in the excerpt?
ethos, an appeal based on the speaker’s character
logos, an appeal based on logic or reason
pathos, an appeal based on emotion
force, an appeal based on the audience’s fear of harm
The best statement regarding the type of appeal in the excerpt is pathos, an appeal based on emotion. In this part of the speech, Wilson expresses sympathy and friendship towards the German people, which is intended to evoke an emotional response from the audience. By differentiating between the German government and the people, Wilson appeals to the audience's sense of compassion and humanity, which reinforces his overall message of seeking justice and right rather than vengeance.
Read the excerpt from President Woodrow Wilson’s speech, “War Message to Congress.”
We must put excited feelings away. Our motive will not be revenge or the victorious assertion of the physical might of the nation, but only the vindication of right, of human right, of which we are only a single champion.
President Wilson is trying to convince his listeners that going to war is
not about emotions but about defending the nation.
about showing the world the power of the nation.
not about spreading peace throughout the world.
about sitting back and waiting to see what will happen.
We must put excited feelings away. Our motive will not be revenge or the victorious assertion of the physical might of the nation, but only the vindication of right, of human right, of which we are only a single champion.
President Wilson is trying to convince his listeners that going to war is
not about emotions but about defending the nation.
about showing the world the power of the nation.
not about spreading peace throughout the world.
about sitting back and waiting to see what will happen.
President Wilson is trying to convince his listeners that going to war is not about emotions but about defending the nation. In this excerpt, Wilson emphasizes that the motives for entering the war should not be driven by revenge or displays of power, but rather by a moral imperative to vindicate human rights. He seeks to frame the decision to go to war as a rational and just cause rather than an emotional reaction.
3 answers