He uses dark imagery and describes some of the current turmoil the country was facing such as "Homes have been lost, jobs shed, businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly, our schools fail too many, and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet. "Yet he juxtaposes this dark imagery with the imagery of hope he creates with positive diction. The juxtaposition leaves audience with the strong idea of hope and change. He leaves the audience feeling hopeful after he states "Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real, they are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this America: They will be met. ".
President Barrack Obama clearly demonstrates his credibility, or also known as ethos, in the beginning of his speech Obama presented his humility of being voted as President and to take on the duty to bring the country back in a stronger state. He demonstrates this humility when he starts off his speech by saying "My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. .
President Obama introduced the method of pathos by proceeding to make references to the segregation and the dreadful days of slavery, in which he would have had to suffer for decades ago, "And because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass ." Yet, he stands tall at the podium elected as President of the United States. This creates an emotion of achievement in the audience that our country has achieved and progressive so much stature in social issues. Obama specifically made a reference to his father would not be able to have respectable service at a restaurant.