Below is an excerpt from Franklin D Roosevelt on the attack of Pearl Harbor. What tone do you think he used when delivering this speech. What tone would you use to read the passage? Explain.

A portrait of President Franklin D Roosevelt.
Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives: Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific....I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

1 answer

Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered this speech with a tone that was both solemn and resolute. He conveyed a sense of gravity regarding the attack on Pearl Harbor, emphasizing the unexpected nature of the assault and the betrayal felt by the American people. His choice of words, particularly phrases like "a date which will live in infamy" and "unprovoked and dastardly attack," suggests that he aimed to evoke a strong emotional response from his audience, highlighting the outrage and urgency of the situation.

If I were to read this passage, I would adopt a tone that reflects the seriousness and urgency of Roosevelt's words. I would speak slowly and deliberately, allowing the weight of the moment to resonate. Emphasis would be placed on key phrases like "infamy," "suddenly and deliberately attacked," and "unprovoked and dastardly attack," to convey the shock, anger, and determination that marked Roosevelt's address. The overall tone would aim to inspire a sense of unity and resolve among the listeners, capturing the historical significance of the moment while expressing the need for action in response to the attack.