Rhetorical Analysis Of George Bush 9/11 Speech

Words: 542
Pages: 3
Open Document
In his speech, “9/11 Address to the Nation,” President George W. Bush, acknowledges the horrific attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. Bush’s purpose is to console the American people and to warn the acting terrorists that America will achieve justice. He adopts a hopeful tone in order provide comfort for those affected by the terrorist attacks on American soil, and he then employs a threatening tone to assert America’s strength to terrorists. Emphasizing that although America is being faced with an incredible tragedy, the Nation will prevail and thrive through courage and spirit, Bush begins his essay. Reassuring the audience, he affirms that “these acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve”. …show more content…
To address the Nation’s grief, as well as his own, Bush reminds people that “none of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world” (8). Continuing a heartfelt speech, Bush yet again uses an appeal to emotion in order to establish that even after such a horrific event, America remains resilient. Additionally, his use of words like “us,” “we,” and “our” makes his statements more personal by implying that the president is suffering as much as the rest of the Nation. Also, his display of hope through his use of emotional appeals allow the audience to feel comfort that seemed unattainable in the aftermath of 9/11. With a hopeful tone and use of metonymy, syntax, and emotional appeals, Bush succeeds in consoling the American people. Through his speech, Bush portrays a message of strength and hope that inspires a Nation and frightens those capable of these malicious acts. Thus, the Nation feels united and protected. An overall sense of patriotism and resilience helps Americans begin to move forward from what is considered to be one of America’s most substantial turning
Show More

Related Documents: Rhetorical Analysis Of George Bush 9/11 Speech

Rhetorical Analysis Of George W Bush 9/11 Speech

George W. Bush, in his already problematic presidency, had the biggest hurdle thrown at him. On September 11th, 2001, only a couple of months into his presidency, 4 planes were hijacked by terrorists and hit the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Later that same day, he delivered a grand speech, in which he addressed the shaken nation and reaffirmed the people's trust that he can keep America strong. Multiple times in the speech, Bush uses parallel structures to show that even if a tragedy occurred…

Words 344 - Pages 2

Rhetorical Analysis Of George W Bush 9/11 Speech

nation would do next. At a time when our country was in panic and shock, President George W. Bush had to address the citizens of the United States in order to instill hope and to persuade people to stand behind him on the War Against Terror. On the very same evening of this horrifying day, Bush spoke out on live television in his “Address to the Nation on 9/11.” In his speech, he was successful by using rhetorical strategies and other assets, in order to have people support him and gain hope that…

Words 1376 - Pages 6

President George Bush 9/11 Speech Rhetorical Analysis

nationwide catastrophe, a president must console his citizens. One such instance of this occurrence is President George Bush in the wake of the terrorist attacks of 9/11. The evening of said attacks, the president gave an address to the people of the U.S. In it he consoles the people, entertaining the fact that they were united and would stand strong against the atrocities committed. Bush begins employing emotional appeals, and uses pathos throughout the majority of the statement. The use of pathos…

Words 528 - Pages 3

Bill Clinton Essay

Yale Law School, where they met and began dating. As Governor of Arkansas, Clinton overhauled the state's education system, and served as Chair of the National Governors Association. Clinton was elected president in 1992, defeating incumbent George H. W. Bush. Clinton presided over the longest period of peacetime economic expansion in American history, and signed into law the North American Free Trade Agreement. After failing to pass national health care reform, the Democratic House was ousted when…

Words 8036 - Pages 33