Journal 3.2: Theodore Roosevelt, “Duties of American Citizenship”

1/17/2017

Journal 3.2: Theodore Roosevelt, “Duties of American Citizenship”

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If a person wishes to become a great orator, they must first become a student of the great orators who have come before him. They must immerse themselves in their texts, listening for the turns of phrases and textual symmetries, the pauses and crescendos, the metaphors and melodies that have enabled the greatest speeches to stand the test of time.

Great oratory has three components: style, substance, and impact.

Style: A great speech must be masterfully constructed. The best orators are masters of both the written and spoken word, and use words to create texts that are beautiful to both hear and read.
Substance: A speech may be flowery and charismatically presented, and yet lack any true substance at all. Great oratory must center on a worthy theme; it must appeal to and inspire the audience’s finest values and ideals.
Impact: Great oratory always seeks to persuade the audience of some fact or idea. The very best speeches change hearts and minds and seem as revelatory several decades or centuries removed as when they were first given.

For all of the journals this week, listen to/watch the video assigned. In your journal post, write what stands out in the speech to you and what resonates with you personally. And why?

And now for the speeches.

January 26, 1883; Buffalo, New York

Given while serving as a New York assemblyman, TR’s address on the “Duties of American Citizenship” delved into both the theoretical reasons why every man should be involved in politics and the practical means of serving in that capacity. Roosevelt chided those who excused themselves from politics because they were too busy; it was every man’s duty to devote some time to maintaining good government.

36 Comments

Nick Hoover

1/17/2017 09:19:05 am

The parts of the speech that stood out the most to me were when Roosevelt talked about the importance of everyone getting involved in maintaining a good government. The reason this resonated with me, is the statistics that came out of all the people who did not vote this year. We as a while need to be involved in our government to ensure that it stays a true and just system.

Kathryn Jennings

1/17/2017 09:44:03 am

One thing that stands out to me in this speech is Roosevelt saying he believes over and over again. The resonates with me personally because I believe it is important to practice what you preach and always fight for what you truly believe in. After listening to this speech, I can tell Roosevelt did both of those things.

Christopher Munoz

1/17/2017 10:19:53 am

What stands out to me in the speech is when Teddy Roosevelt says the American people are as a whole capable of self control and learning by their mistakes. I also believe the American people and human beings in general are capable of self-control and are able to take responsibility for their actions.

Eduardo Villarreal

1/17/2017 10:20:31 am

what stood out to me was that he was talking about believing in the rights and showing self control to learn from their mistakes. The way he kept on saying "i believe" stood out to me.

tristan hantsche

1/17/2017 10:23:51 am

Roosevelt believes in the people, were they come from, who they are and most importantly what they represent in our country. He's a great leader and a great communicator which is what you need in order to when the populations vote and support. This man is personally my favorite president and was one of the best communicators in the world.

Adrian C. Monroy

1/17/2017 10:29:03 am

What stood out to me during the speech, was his tone of voice with each word that came out of his mouth. The elegance of his speaking, made it very noticeable that he had faith in the citizens to change for the better of the country.

Angelica pace

1/17/2017 10:30:54 am

The part that stood out the most to me was when he said that there would be less problems if the people gonverned themselves. I dont agree with this I belive that there has to someone that chooses what is right or wrong and what kind of punishments to dealt out. I feel like people can't govern themselves because it would just start wars and violence and crime would rise more than what it already is.

Andres Sanchez

1/17/2017 12:08:44 pm

The part that stood out the most to me was when Roosevelt said that American people are capable of govern themselves,control themselves and learning by their mistakes.He talked about the importance of everyone getting involved in maintaining a good government.I feel like government is when all people participate not only one.

Haley West

1/17/2017 01:21:53 pm

The part that stood out the most to me was when he said I belive in the americans misstakes ,changes, i belive in the people. I think its great to belive in what you care about.

Austin White

1/17/2017 03:54:02 pm

Roosevelt's greatest attribute in his speech was his word choice. Through out his speech he talk of the American people as a united whole giving them faith to be able to accomplish anything they put effort toward. This is his greatest asset in the speech because it was during a time America needed faith, to becoming a whole getting through the depression.

Kyson Chapman

1/17/2017 06:23:14 pm

A big thing that stood out to me would be is faith and confidence in the American people. He spoke with passion and with confidence about the American people and our rights and our freedom. They way he spoke was very powerful and moving and really showed what he stood for as our leader.

Angelica Mendenhall

1/17/2017 06:34:59 pm

His opening line is what caught my attention. As the first thing any listener would hear, it must make an impact that will keep the listener interested as he continues with his speech. It must summaries what he wants to accomplish and set his goals. He does this wonderfully with a few short lines about how we, the collective American public, can make a change and govern, not only ourselves, but out government as well if we all act as a collective unit working towards the same goal.

Abigail Villanueva

1/17/2017 06:55:35 pm

What stood out to me the most in Roosevelts speech is the way he spoke about the American people. His specific word choice really expressed the aspiration and faith, his hope in them helped them regain strength as a whole. This strength gets the American people through one of the toughest depression.

Tanner Dunn

1/17/2017 07:17:38 pm

One thing that stood out to me was Roosevelt's emphasis on the people's duty in maintaining a good government. In doing so, he articulates his speech, stating his belief in the American people. Through his speech, he was successfully able to motivate the American population to unite as a whole and move forward with their differences.

abby bankston

1/17/2017 07:19:29 pm

What stood out to me in this speech is the way Roosevelt communicates his message to the American people. His word choice expressed his hope to regain strength. The way he spoke was moving and inspirational to the American people.

Aldo Ramirez

1/17/2017 07:54:11 pm

What stands out to me is when he speaks his voice makes me believe what he's saying he uses good word choice and it makes me believe that he is a good leader and he talks a lot about the people which is good when your trying to appeal to the people and make them believe in you

Ede Angel

1/17/2017 09:23:16 pm

The thing that stood out to me was the way that he used the word believe and how he uses the word we when he is talking about the country. To me it looks like he doesn't consider himself as better but he sees the country's progress as a groups effort. And how the truly believes that the country can be responsible for they're actions and the confidence that he has in the country.

Bryan Vazquez

1/17/2017 09:56:18 pm

Roosevelt states about his belives in people and rights. Also that people need to learn about self control so they can learn from their mistakes. The way he spoke it inspired the American people.

Krystina Marquez

1/17/2017 10:32:39 pm

What stood out the most about his speech was how he talked about new leaders and how important they are. Inspiring leaders are what really make change by affecting peoples decision's through powerful and thoughtful ways of communicating.

Alonso Ramirez

1/17/2017 10:45:46 pm

What caught my eye is that he said " I believe in the people." As he believed in the people to make his decisions. He let the people make the choices, he thought that the peoples decision was more important than his decisions. That's the president we need, in our era.

Shadrian Rosser

1/17/2017 11:27:10 pm

What made me pay attention more and really listen was when Roosevelt quoted that "I believe that the American people are as a whole, are capable of self-control and learning by their mistakes". It connects with me because everyone knows the difference from wrong and right, and if your in the wrong own up to it. Everyone needs to take responsibility for the decisions they made and have control over their own lives instead of others. This statement inspire the American people and it still does today.

Liliana Porras

1/25/2017 07:51:36 pm

I agree with your point of view how the general population knows right from wrong. Everyone makes mistakes so the best outcome to that is owning up to it and making it right.

Hugo Espinoza

1/17/2017 11:46:09 pm

What stands out the most for me is that he is trying to get everybody to believe that every single person can do something for the country .Saying that they are capable of keeping control and governing their selves . He does a magnificent job at choosing the right words and tone to make people believe on his thoughts.

Rodrigo Huerta

1/18/2017 05:47:58 am

First things first they have no reason to complain or to be angry on who is president so you might as well just to get that out of the way. If you don't put in your two cents things won't be the way you want them to be for what I felt like what really hit me with the speech was how he didn't drop a beat while,speaking it sound like he was almost rhyming with his words so yes you can say this speech had great substance

Jaila Molina

1/18/2017 08:23:49 am

What stood out to me was Theodore Roosevelt try creating recognition with American citizens on roles and respect on the country. This speech is educational and everyone should be concerned.

Melina Delgado

1/18/2017 09:06:10 am

What stands out most to me is the confidence he has through out the whole speech. He has a firm believe and he makes detailed points and is confident about. He doesn't stutter or seem nervous which makes the speech all that much better.

Lindsay Griffin

1/18/2017 09:07:53 am

Repetition stands out to and resonates with me because it catches my attention. The repeated statement, "I believe" helps get his point along. This method is seen everywhere, such as with the constitution or with MLK Jr's speech, "I have a dream." In ever scenario, it helps grab the attention of the reader and pound the point into their head.

jacob flynn

1/18/2017 10:09:58 am

Roosevelt repeats certain words like "i believe" to instill a sense of belief in the American people. He also seems to raise his voice when saying his main points, to emphasize. This speech was intended to inspire American to be more active in their government.

Jesse Borrero

1/18/2017 10:52:52 am

A part of the speech that stood out to me was his repetition of "I believe". This was effective because by using that phrase, every time he uses it more and more, it becomes more powerful. It becomes more memorable than if he was to just say it once.

Mikayela Dzenowski

1/19/2017 09:23:51 am

What stood out was the amount of times he said "believe". This is a key factor in any society is to have hope by believing things will get better. He states that we must believe and learn from our mistakes.

Nathanial Eason

1/19/2017 09:27:05 am

Roosevelt ability to communicate to a large audience were impressive to say the least, capturing them with grandiose words and relating on a level of American to American rather than president to citizens. He employed common presentation tactics in order to appeal to the average American.

Lailee Bayatfar

1/19/2017 09:18:01 pm

The speech by Theodore Roosevelt is important in creating awareness among the American citizens on the roles and responsibilities they have towards their country. What really resonated with me is the fact that Roosevelt mentioned that you don't have to be in a position in politics to make a difference in America. Roosevelt points out is the fact that politics is not for a few selected people but for every person.

Dilon Welch

1/20/2017 12:46:09 pm

Roosevelt says the word believe a lot in his speech. When he tells the audience that he believes it gives us courage to do thing better, and come together as Americans.

Kiera Jones

1/20/2017 10:24:24 pm

What stood out to me was that Theodore Roosevelt was wanting to create responsibility to his country and he made communication to always believe that everything will get better no matter what it was .. He believed .

1/25/2017 07:46:30 pm

What stood out to me was the tone of voice he used and how he kept repeating "I believe". His tone was very assertive and firm about how it is our duty. I relate to this because I constantly hear people complaining about our government but don't do their part in voting. "Be the change you want to see"

jada zavala

3/6/2017 10:34:43 am

What stood out to me is that he stood up to what he believed in and he wasn't giving in, he took pride into what he was talking about!

Journal 3.2: Theodore Roosevelt, “Duties of American Citizenship”

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