Analyzing Rhetorical Techniques in Victory Speeches by a Two-Term Canadian Prime Minister

Abstract

  Justin Pierre James Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, delivered victory speeches in 2015 and 2019, calling for unity and rejecting negativity in Canadian society. This paper analyzed the rhetorical strategies used by Trudeau to persuade and convince his audience. Using Aristotle's rhetorical framework of ethos, pathos, and logos, this paper examined how Trudeau built his credibility and moral character, appealed to emotions, and used logical reasoning to support his arguments. The results unveiled that Trudeau adeptly communicated his message and struck a chord with his audience by employing ethos, pathos, and logos. These persuasive elements remained consistent in specific strategies yet exhibited variations in both quantity and quality throughout his speeches to some degree. In 2015, emotional appeals, primarily Pathos, were prevalent, likely due to his initial election and lack of prior accomplishments to reference. In contrast, 2019 emphasized his experiences and accomplishments, mainly Ethos, during his second term. The results illustrate successful communication strategies for public figures, highlighting the importance of credibility, emotional appeal, and logical reasoning in persuasive speeches. These findings hold value in educational, psychological, and business contexts, providing guidance for crafting impactful speeches and effectively engaging with clients.