2. Create a second Word Document: Questions on Obama's Bin Laden Speech. For your "Question" document, this time you should answer the questions after the text below. You may copy the questions, but you do not have to. Answer in complete sentences with quotes (when appropriate) from the text as support for your responses (include the paragraph number in a parenthetical citation after any quoted text--see the tab at the top of this website for the correct format of citations.). Not all questions need quotes. You determine when a quote would be good support for your response. After the questions, create a subhead for a second section of this Word document: Vocabulary. Type any unknown words--at least five (with their definitions; include parts of speech).
By now, you know the routine--print out the Word document for your binder at the beginning of class (you may be asked to turn the assignment in; otherwise, keep it in your binder) on the day the assignment is due. Word documents should also be on your laptop at the beginning of class on the day the assignment is due. As usual, any assignment could be asked for at any time during the semester.
For all assignments, you should always have electronic copies on your laptop computer as well as printed-out documents in your binder. These documents could be collected at any time during the entirety of the semester (not just the due date). If you do not have the work when I request it, you earn a grade of zero. No exceptions.
Always use proper MLA format.
Transcript of President Obama’s Speech on the Death of Osama Bin Laden (5/1/2011)
(Paragraph 1) THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who’s responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.
(Paragraph 2) It was nearly 10 years ago that a bright September day was darkened by the worst attack on the American people in our history. The images of 9/11 are seared into our national memory -- hijacked planes cutting through a cloudless September sky; the Twin Towers collapsing to the ground; black smoke billowing up from the Pentagon; the wreckage of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where the actions of heroic citizens saved even more heartbreak and destruction.
(Paragraph 3) And yet we know that the worst images are those that were
unseen to the world. The empty seat at the dinner table. Children
who were forced to grow up without their mother or their father. Parents
who would never know the feeling of their child’s embrace. Nearly 3,000
citizens taken from us, leaving a gaping hole in our hearts.
(Paragraph 4) On September 11, 2001, in our time of grief, the American
people came together. We offered our neighbors a hand, and we offered the
wounded our blood. We reaffirmed our ties to each other, and our love of
community and country. On that day, no matter where we came from, what
God we prayed to, or what race or ethnicity we were, we were united as one
American family.
(Paragraph 5) We were also united in our resolve to protect our nation and to
bring those who committed this vicious attack to justice. We quickly
learned that the 9/11 attacks were carried out by al Qaeda --
an organization headed by Osama bin Laden,
which had openly declared war on the United States and
was committed to killing innocents in our country and around the globe.
And so we went to war against al Qaeda to
protect our citizens, our friends, and our allies.
(Paragraph 6) Over the last 10 years, thanks to the tireless and heroic work
of our military and our counterterrorism professionals, we’ve made great
strides in that effort. We’ve disrupted terrorist attacks and
strengthened our homeland defense. In Afghanistan, we
removed the Taliban
government, which had given bin Laden and
al Qaeda
safe haven and support. And around the globe, we worked with our friends
and allies to capture or kill scores of al Qaeda
terrorists, including several who were a part of the 9/11 plot.
(Paragraph 7) Yet Osama bin Laden
avoided capture and escaped across the Afghan border into Pakistan.
Meanwhile, al Qaeda
continued to operate from along that border and operate through its affiliates
across the world.
(Paragraph 8) And so shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director of
the CIA,
to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the
top priority of our war against al Qaeda,
even as we continued our broader efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat his
network.
(Paragraph 9) Then, last August, after years of painstaking work by our
intelligence community, I was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden.
It was far from certain, and it took many months to run this thread to
ground. I met repeatedly with my national security team as we developed
more information about the possibility that we had located bin Laden hiding within a compound deep inside of Pakistan.
And finally, last week, I determined that we had enough intelligence to take
action, and authorized an operation to get Osama bin Laden and
bring him to justice.
(Paragraph 10) Today, at my direction, the United States
launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage
and capability. No Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid
civilian casualties. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and
took custody of his body.
(Paragraph 11) For over two decades, bin Laden has
been al Qaeda’s leader and symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against
our country and our friends and allies. The death of bin Laden
marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat
al Qaeda.
(Paragraph 12) Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort.
There’s no doubt that al Qaeda
will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must –- and we will -- remain
vigilant at home and abroad.
(Paragraph 13) As we do, we must also reaffirm that the United States is
not –- and never will be -– at war with Islam. I’ve made clear, just as President Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war is not against
Islam. Bin Laden was
not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, al Qaeda has
slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own. So
his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity.
(Paragraph 14) Over the years, I’ve repeatedly made clear that we would take
action within Pakistan if
we knew where bin Laden
was. That is what we’ve done. But it’s important to note that our
counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan
helped lead us to bin Laden and
the compound where he was hiding. Indeed, bin Laden had
declared war against Pakistan as
well, and ordered attacks against the Pakistani people.
(Paragraph 15) Tonight, I called President Zardari,
and my team has also spoken with their Pakistani counterparts. They agree
that this is a good and historic day for both of our nations. And going
forward, it is essential that Pakistan
continue to join us in the fight against al Qaeda and
its affiliates.
(Paragraph 16) The American people did not choose this fight. It came to
our shores, and started with the senseless slaughter of our citizens.
After nearly 10 years of service, struggle, and sacrifice, we know well the
costs of war. These efforts weigh on me every time I, as
Commander-in-Chief, have to sign a letter to a family that has lost a loved
one, or look into the eyes of a service member who’s been gravely wounded.
(Paragraph 17) So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a
country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly
by when our people have been killed. We will be relentless in defense of
our citizens and our friends and allies. We will be true to the values
that make us who we are. And on nights like this one, we can say to those
families who have lost loved ones to al Qaeda’s terror: Justice has been
done.
(Paragraph 18) Tonight, we give thanks to the countless intelligence and
counterterrorism professionals who’ve worked tirelessly to achieve this
outcome. The American people do not see their work, nor know their
names. But tonight, they feel the satisfaction of their work and the
result of their pursuit of justice.
(Paragraph 19) We give thanks for the men who carried out this operation, for
they exemplify the professionalism, patriotism, and unparalleled courage of
those who serve our country. And they are part of a generation that has
borne the heaviest share of the burden since that September day.
(Paragraph 20) Finally, let me say to the families who lost loved ones on 9/11
that we have never forgotten your loss, nor wavered in our commitment to see
that we do whatever it takes to prevent another attack on our shores.
(Paragraph 21) And tonight, let us think back to the sense of unity that
prevailed on 9/11. I know that it has, at times, frayed. Yet
today’s achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the
determination of the American people.
(Paragraph 22) The cause of securing our country is not complete. But
tonight, we are once again reminded that America can
do whatever we set our mind to. That is the story of our history, whether
it’s the pursuit of prosperity for our people, or the struggle for equality for
all our citizens; our commitment to stand up for our values abroad, and our
sacrifices to make the world a safer place.
(Paragraph 23) Let us remember that we can do these things not just because of
wealth or power, but because of who we are: one nation, under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
(Paragraph 24) Thank you. May God bless you. And may God bless the
United States of America.
Discussion
Questions for President Obama's Speech on the Death of bin Laden (Always cite words/language to prove your points.)
1. What is President Obama’s primary
purpose in this speech?
2. Why does President Obama use the words,
“killed,” “murder,” “thousands of
innocent men, women, and children”? (Paragraph 1)
3. How is the imagery in Paragraph 2
effective? Cite specific words or
phrases and explain the mood that is created by the language that you have
cited.
4. In Paragraph 3, President Obama uses a
different set of images. What is the difference in the types of images he
presents in Paragraph 2 and Paragraph 3?
Why is this contrast in image type effective?
5. What specific details or words stand
out to you in Paragraph 3 Why do these
words make an impression on you?
Explain.
6. Oftentimes, orators present more than
one theme in their speeches. How would
you describe the theme that is introduced in Paragraph 4? Why is the introduction of this theme at this
point in the speech effective? Cite
specific words as proof.
7. How does the tone change in Paragraph
5? Cite words and explain. Why is it effective to begin this paragraph
with the words, “We were also united”?
8. Why does President Obama choose to
begin Paragraph 6 with “Over the last ten years”? What is his underlying purpose in this
paragraph? Consider the people he is mentioning, as well as the details he
mentions.
9. Why is it important for President Obama
to include the phrase “And around the globe, we worked with our friends and
allies”?
10. What
is the purpose of Paragraph 7?
11. Other
than the opening paragraph, when President Obama greets his audience using the
pronoun “I,” he uses the pronouns “we” and “our” for most of the beginning of
his speech. In Paragraph 8, the
President again uses “I.” Why is his not
using “I” until this point (except for the opening) effective? How would the effect of his speech be
different if he used the pronoun “I” repeatedly?
12. What
is the effect of the words “disrupt, dismantle, and defeat”? (Paragraph 8) Do
you know what beginning a series of words with the same consonant is called?
13. What
is the intent or purpose for the information President Obama relates in
Paragraph 9?
14. In
Paragraph 10, Obama uses the key phrase “at my direction.” Why is this phrasing important? Why do you think he says, “No Americans were
harmed”? What is the effect of the words
“extraordinary courage and capability”?
15. What
is the function of Paragraph 11?
16. President
Obama uses the key transition word, “Yet,” at the beginning of Paragraph
12. What is his primary purpose in this
paragraph?
17. What
ideas is President Obama trying to make clear in Paragraph 13? Why is his presentation of these ideas so
important? What is so effective about
the statement “Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims.” What is so effective about including the keywords, “peace,” and “human dignity” at the end of the paragraph?
18. Whom
does President Obama credit for assistance in Paragraph 14? Why is this important?
19. What
is the main purpose of Paragraph 15?
20. Why
does President Obama say, “The American people did not choose this fight. It came to our shores, and started with the
senseless slaughter of our citizens” in Paragraph 16? What is the effect of the phrase “senseless
slaughter of our citizens”?
21. What
is President Obama’s purpose in Paragraph 17?
Why is it important to say, “We will be true to the values that make us
who we are” and “Justice has been done”?
What are the effects of those words?
22. President
Obama uses the word “tonight” twice in Paragraph 18. In what direction is he trying to steer his
audience? Why does he say, “we give
thanks”?
23. What
is the function of Paragraphs 19 and 20?
What is President Obama’s purpose/objective at this point in the speech?
What is so effective about the language, “professionalism, patriotism, and
unparalleled courage”?
24. Again
President Obama uses the keyword “tonight” in Paragraph 21. He also uses the words “unity that prevailed”
and “testament to the greatness of our country.” What are the effects of this language on his
audience?
25. What
is the purpose of Paragraph 22? Consider
the words “not complete.” How does
President Obama connect the events of 9/11 to the larger events of our national
story? Why is this an effective thing to
do as he closes his speech? Cite specific
words.
26. What
is the effect of the words, “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty
and justice for all” in Paragraph 23?
Where do these words come from?
What is so effective about placing those words in the closing of the
speech?
27. Why
do presidents usually end speeches with “God bless the United States of
America”?
28. President
Obama’s speech can be analyzed in terms of time sequence. For example, in the beginning, he provides a
background for the news he is announcing (the past). At what other points in the essay are
transitions in time made? Identify those
transitions and explain the change in time.
