What This Document Is
This document presents a focused exercise applying Kenneth Burke’s Dramatistic Pentad – a method for analyzing rhetoric – to President Barack Obama’s second inaugural address from January 21, 2013. It’s designed for students in Georgia State University’s Human Communication (SCOM 1000) course. The document provides excerpts from the speech and asks students to identify which element of the Pentad (Act, Scene, Agent, Agency, Purpose) is represented by each passage.
Why This Document Matters
This study guide is valuable for students learning to apply theoretical frameworks to real-world communication events. It’s used as a practice exercise to solidify understanding of Burke’s Pentad and its analytical power. Students will likely encounter this type of rhetorical analysis throughout the course and in future communication studies. It’s particularly useful when preparing for assessments that require applying communication theories.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This document is *not* a comprehensive explanation of Burke’s Dramatistic Pentad itself. It assumes students already have a foundational understanding of the theory. It also doesn’t provide answers or detailed explanations of *why* each excerpt corresponds to a specific element of the Pentad – the goal is for students to actively apply their knowledge. It is not a substitute for reading and understanding the full speech.
What This Document Provides
This document includes:
* Excerpts from President Obama’s second inaugural address.
* A series of questions prompting students to identify the element of Burke’s Dramatistic Pentad represented by each excerpt.
* A framework for applying the Pentad to a specific speech.
This preview does *not* include:
* Explanations of Burke’s Dramatistic Pentad.
* Answers to the questions.
* The complete text of President Obama’s inaugural address.
