Speech

We can be certain "The Truman Doctrine" is a speech for a couple of reasons. For starters, Truman opens with an acknowledgement of his audience:

Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Congress of the United States…

Speeches are usually delivered to an audience, right?

Second, if we put on our handy-dandy critical reading glasses, we can also separate the text into basic sections, like an intro, thesis, etc., that are often associated with making an argument. Then, we can remind ourselves that persuasive arguments are often presented as speeches.

And finally, if we consider the fact that presidential doctrines are often presented as speeches— and we know that this text happens to have the name "doctrine" as well as a reference to a president in the actual title—we just know we're dealing with a speech.

How it Breaks Down

Intro

Truman introduces why he's called a joint session of Congress to deliver this speech (one of two thesis statements he'll give). He hits us with a nice little road map of the topics he'll discuss, including Greece, Turkey, and our national security.

Part 1: The Crisis in Greece

Truman's first body paragraph—his point of discussion—is about the civil war in Greece. He explains what the people there are experiencing, and why his audience (and us readers) should care about them.

Part 2: Turkey

Truman's second point (it's not really long enough to be a paragraph) is about Turkey and how things aren't going too well there, either.

Part 3: Why We Should Care

Truman's third (and strongest) body paragraph/point is about how the previous two points deserve our attention and could affect us as a nation.

Like any good persuasive speech or essay, he really ties everything together here. He also gives us his second thesis statement about what we should actually do to address the problems he's discussing (what he "believes") (74).

Conclusion

He closes by restating his points—with a heavy emphasis on Part 3—and again explains why he's giving this speech (Thesis Statement 1). He also ends with a call to action that reinforces and connects with Thesis Statement 2.

Good job, Harry. Way to restate your points and weave your argument(s) throughout your spiel.