The difference between being heard and being ignored is the difference between success and failure. The effectiveness of an argument can be judged by the reaction of an intended audience. Through the use of rhetorical appeals speakers can gain credibility, prove facts, and emotionally persuade an audience to support their argument or point of view. John Kerry's speech at the National Democratic Convention uses numerous techniques in order to persuade his audience that his party offers the superior ticket for the presidency and vice-presidency of the United States. The target audience in this speech are television viewers and convention attendees who are listening to the speech live. Since Kerry's speech is live, his audience does not have a chance to read and analyze his words. This presents a unique literary opportunity to use logical fallacies and repetition. Kerry's utilization of ethos, pathos, and logos combined with the integration of logical fallacies allows him to convey an effective argument.
             Fallacies are statements that might sound reasonable or superficially true but are actually flawed or only half truths. Fallacies are usually ineffective in written arguments but in a live speech where the majority of the audience listens to the argument verbally, they can be very effective. The audience heard strong statements like:
             And let's not forget what we did in the 1990s. We balanced the budget. We paid down the debt.  We created 23 million new jobs. We lifted millions out of poverty and we lifted the standard of living for the middle class. We just need to believe in ourselves – and we can do it again (Kerry).
             The audience was thrilled by his words. They applauded this statement which appears to have great logos appeal to it. Since the audience is hearing this statement only once, they may not think to question its authenticity, and they may not realize that the economic prosperity it describ...