How a Persuasive Essay Saved Edward Kennedy’s Political Career

In the summer of 1969 in Chappaquiddick, Edward Kennedy was involved in a scandal which nearly jeopardized his career. Mr. Kennedy was holding a cook out to thank the staff who had worked for his departed brother Senator Robert Kennedy. That night Edward Kennedy was driving alongside with Miss Mary Jo Kopechne, one of Robert Kennedy’s most devoted workers. The car suddenly tipped over Dike Bridge and plunged into a river. After this tragic event, Mr. Edward Kennedy failed to notify the police until nine hours after the incident occurred which was too late and Miss Mary Jo was found dead. On the brink of loosing his seat in the Senate, he assembled some of the finest persuasive writers. Edward Kennedy saved his political career with a brilliant speech with effective usage of logical proof, emotional proof, and hostile audience techniques.

The use of logical proof helps to answer questions. Mr. Kennedy begins by using facts that verify to be true. This includes the gathering in which Edward thanks the staff who work for his brother, the location at which they are at, and the passengers whom he has in the car. At one point some speculates that he was driving under the influence but, is proven wrong when according to his television statement he was, “Not driving under the influence of liquor’” (Times 12). There are even suspicions on a secret relationship, but once again he denies the accusation saying, “There is no truth, no truth whatever, to the widely circulated suspicions of immoral conduct that have been leveled at my behavior and hers regarding that evening” (Times 12). Some of Mr. Kennedy’s statements are to compare due to some previous events which occur. Next, a doctor reviews Kennedy’s condition and says that he had “suffered a cerebral concussion as well as shock” (Kennedy 318). This statement is extremely effective because doctors are known to give reliable information; therefore it helps Kennedy’s case in which it proves that he may not have been able to make the phone call earlier. 

The use of emotional proof alters the audience’s mix feelings to sympathy. Mr. Kennedy attempts to rescue Miss Mary Jo multiple times. Using the audience’s sense of pity, he wants them to understand that he did not want her to die and is even willing to risk his life to save hers. Next, Mr. Kennedy loves Mary Jo very much because she stays in close connection with the Kennedy family even after the passing of Edward’s brother Senator Robert Kennedy. Then, he refers to one of the top selling books his brother J.F.K writes name Profiles in Courage in which he quotes, “The stories of the past courage cannot supply courage itself. For this, each man must look into his own soul” (Kennedy 321). This shows that although he did many good and incredible deeds in the past, what he did that summer night is wrong and unforgivable. By putting emotions into an essay, it brings out human characteristics which everyone can relate, thus making it more effective which is exactly what Mr. Kennedy did.