On December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor, a U.S. naval base located around Oahu, was unexpectedly and ruthlessly attacked by Japanese air forces. Following this unprecedented attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered one of the most infamous speeches to Congress today. Throughout this speech, Roosevelt discusses his feelings regarding Japanese betrayal, expands on the Japanese attack on American forces, and explains how he, as commander and leader, will prevent such an attack from happening again. However, the style of this speech is unique; Roosevelt avoids the use of elaborate words and ideas that are difficult to grasp. Instead, he uses relevant but strong diction and organizes his ideas in a relatively simple way that helps show the urgency and necessity of the situation. Say no to plagiarism. Get a Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get Original Essay Beginning with a discussion of the details of the attack on Pearl Harbor, FDR immediately informs Congress of the deception and treason implemented by the Japanese Empire. . In fact, he told Congress that while the United States "seeks peace" and has "ongoing diplomatic negotiations" with Japan, it will no longer continue to be lied to. However, instead of simply saying that the Japanese empire had lied to the United States before the bombings, Roosevelt uses strong phrases like "suddenly" and "deliberately" to describe Japan's betrayal, which reveals his bitter tone. Cleverly, FDR constantly repeats these words to remind Congress of the Japanese people's mockery of the American government, ultimately stoking their pride and persuading Congress to bring up war against Japan. FDR then begins to explain the nature of the attack on Pearl Harbor and continues his argument that the American people were manipulated and betrayed by the Japanese. However, rather than using multiple adjectives and meaningless puns to describe the attacks, Roosevelt uses a unique literary strategy: simple parallel syntax. Roosevelt uses this form of syntax - Time, Subject and Place of Attack - not only to list other territories attacked by the Japanese Air Force, but also to prove to the Congressman that the attack was planned, misleading and without reasonable grounds. Much like the attacks, Roosevelt's style of use of syntax is short and to the point, which in itself only reinforces FDR's message that the Japanese people deceived and manipulated the American government. He does not stop there, however, for example, Roosevelt goes on to mention the loss of "very many American lives and ships" in order to further convince Congress of Japan's lack of respect and honor towards the United States. FDR finished the measures he had put in place and reiterated to Congress the need to go to war against Japan. Although seemingly simple, this part of Roosevelt's speech proves to be the strongest, as he uses powerful diction to please Congress. In fact, he deliberately keeps returning to his original point, claiming that the "attack" on the United States was "premeditated," "unprovoked," and "despicable." He also uses words like "just" and "inevitable," and refers to God in order to force Congress to associate the strength of the American people with God and, ultimately, to convince them through the use of religion. FDR concluded his speech with a declaration of war, disguised as a question, asking whether Congress would "declare...on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war".