in obama's speech at the democratic convention when he compared himself to other democrates like kennedy and rosevelt was he using ethos? or can you help me find examples or ethos in his speech?

Maybe. Ethos is a reflection of the culture of the period. If he was focusing on change, one could argue his culture is similar to those before him who stood for change.

I am not so certain that change alone is culture, however, others will disagree. Ethos is more to me than change. Janet Joplin, as radical a change can be, did not to me represent a distinct ethos. However, she was a subset of the Hippie/Rock Ethos of the sixties and seventies.
Some folks will look at fashion (width of mens ties, or womens hairdos) and see a culture in itself, and label this an ethos. For myself, I am not so certain.
So yes, some would argue the culture of change could use Roosevelt and Kennedy as models. Often folks forget that Kennedy got through congress very little change legislation, it took LBJ as president to do that.

http://www.answers.com/ethos

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ethos

I don't have the text of Sen. Obama's speech, but if you're clear on the meaning of "ethos," you'll find it easier to locate instances of ethos in his speech, if there are any.

To determine if Obama was using ethos in his speech at the Democratic Convention when comparing himself to other Democrats like Kennedy and Roosevelt, we need to understand the concept of ethos and examine his speech for examples. Ethos refers to establishing credibility and authority through character, experience, and reputation.

To find examples of ethos in Obama's speech, you can follow these steps:

1. Watch or read Obama's speech: Find a reliable video or transcript of Obama's speech at the Democratic Convention. Make sure you have the complete speech for a comprehensive analysis.

2. Identify the instances of comparison: Look for parts of the speech where Obama compares himself to other Democrats like Kennedy and Roosevelt. These comparisons may highlight similarities in character, values, leadership qualities, or policy objectives.

3. Analyze the comparison: Pay close attention to the language and tone used during these comparisons. Are there any specific qualities or characteristics that Obama emphasizes? Does he mention any shared experiences or achievements? Consider how these comparisons contribute to Obama's ethos.

4. Evaluate credibility and authority: Reflect on whether these comparisons enhance Obama's credibility and authority as a speaker. Does the comparison to respected figures like Kennedy and Roosevelt establish Obama's own character and experience as a leader?

Note that ethos is not solely based on comparisons but can also be built through other means, such as the speaker's personal background, achievements, or expertise. You should consider these elements as well when evaluating Obama's use of ethos in the speech.

By examining Obama's speech using these steps, you will be able to assess whether he employed ethos in his comparisons to other Democrats and the impacts those comparisons had on his credibility and authority as a speaker.