On December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor, a United States naval base located around Oahu, was unexpectedly and mercilessly attacked by Japanese air forces. Following this unprecedented attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers one of the most infamous speeches of today to Congress. Throughout this speech, Roosevelt expresses his feelings about Japanese betrayal, elaborates on the Japanese attack on American forces, and discusses how he, as commander and leader, will prevent an attack like this from happening again. However, the style of this speech is unique; Roosevelt avoids the use of elaborate words and difficult to understand ideas, instead using recognizable but strong diction, and organizing his ideas in a relatively simple way that helps show the urgency and necessity of the situation. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Beginning with a discussion of the details surrounding the attack on Pearl Harbor, FDR immediately informs Congress of the deception and betrayal carried out by the Japanese Empire. In fact, he tells Congress that as the United States “looks toward peace” and is engaged in “existing diplomatic negotiations” with Japan, it will no longer continue to lie to them. However, instead of simply saying that the Japanese empire had lied to the United States before the bombings, Roosevelt uses forceful wording such as “suddenly” and “deliberately” to describe Japan's betrayal, which in turn reveals his bitter tone . Cleverly, however, FDR constantly repeats these words to remind Congress of the Japanese people's derision of the American government, ultimately inciting their pride and persuading Congress to call for war against Japan. FDR then begins to explain the nature of the attack on Pearl Harbor, claiming that the American people were manipulated and betrayed by the Japanese. However, instead of using multiple adjectives and nonsensical puns to describe the attacks, Roosevelt uses a unique literary strategy: simple parallel syntax. Roosevelt uses this form of syntax - Time, Object, and Location of Attack - not only to list the other territories attacked by the Japanese Air Force, but to demonstrate to the Congressman that the attack was planned, deceptive, and without reasonable cause. Like the attacks, Roosevelt's style of use of syntax is short and direct, which in itself only continues to further FDR's message that the Japanese people deceived and manipulated the American government. But he doesn't stop there, for example, Roosevelt goes on to mention the loss of "very many American lives and ships" to further convince congress of Japan's lack of respect and honor towards the United States. FDR concludes with the measures implemented and reiterates to Congress the need to go to war with Japan. Although seemingly simple, this part of Roosevelt's speech appears to be the strongest, as it implements the use of powerful diction to appeal to Congress. Indeed, he deliberately continues to refer back to his original point, claiming that the “assault” against the United States was “premeditated,” “unprovoked,” and “cowardly.” He also uses words such as "right" and "inevitable" as well as references to God to force congress to relate the strength of the American people to God and ultimately convince them through the use of religion. FDR concludes his speech with a declaration of war, disguised as a question, asking whether Congress will "declare...on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war" between the United States and.