Rhetorical Analysis Of George Bush Speech On 9/11

608 Words3 Pages

Authored by George Bush, the 9-11 speech reassured the public with repeated assurances of America's superior military might. His sad but unwavering delivery serves as a reminder that the nation will not be cowed or thrown into anarchy by terrorist attacks, no matter how many people die. Bush's speech on 9/11 included all three appeal styles, ethos, logos, and pathos, as he addressed the tragic events of that day.
Audience Purpose
The American people needed someone with a strong, reassuring voice to rally around them and help them rebuild. The terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, which shocked and perplexed the entire country, prompted the author to address the speech. Therefore, George Bush's speech gave the nation hope and strength in confronting the dangers of terrorism.
Ethos …show more content…

George Bush's credibility was bolstered by his status as President of the United States. His use of "our," "we," and "us" throughout the speech is another way he establishes his ethos. Using the pronouns "our" and "we," the President shows the American people that he is sharing their pain. Since the President is the highest-ranking government official in the country, elected by the general populace, Bush's words are also consistent with ethos. Because of this, the country's people will have more faith in his leadership and be more willing to listen to him. In this way, he has created two ethos-based personas. While he is the leader of his people and will always stand firm to protect them, he is also a regular guy who lives in America and understands their struggles. These two illustrations help him win over his listeners, giving his arguments more weight and credibility. He brings the American people together under the shared belief that they must remain united and strong in