Rhetorical Analysis Of President Ronald Reagan

President Ronald Reagan governed the United States in the 1980s. At the same time, Margaret Thatcher was the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister. The two leaders weren’t just political acquaintances; they were friends. When Reagan passed away in 2004, Thatcher delivered a heartwarming eulogy to the American people in honor of the President. In the eulogy, Thatcher employs various rhetorical techniques to underscore Ronald Reagan’s greatness as a president and a man. Thatcher begins her eulogy with a simple yet powerful statement. She declares that Reagan was, “a great president, a great American, and a great man, and I have lost a dear friend.” The list builds momentum and ends with a climatic acknowledgment of Thatcher’s grief. In doing

She contrasts “the daunting historic tasks” that Reagan faced with his “lightness of spirit” and “cheerful and invigorating presence.” By juxtaposing Reagan’s challenges as president with his jolly demeanor, Thatcher demonstrates that, in spite of leading the most powerful nation in the world, Reagan managed to keep his spirits high. The author’s juxtaposition highlights one of the president’s greatest traits, his optimism. However, Reagan’s positive attitude wasn’t his only admirable quality. Reagan’s sense of humor captivated everyone in his presence. His easy jokes, “gave reassurance to an anxious world.” The author’s use of powerful diction highlights Reagan’s sharp tongue. By describing Reagan’s jokes “in the midst of hysteria,” Thatcher paints Reagan as down-to-earth. He cracked one-liners and laughed like everyone else. As a result, the audience feels a connection with Reagan. Despite his role as president of the United States, “Ronnie” was just a normal

While working alongside Reagan, Thatcher realized that he “knew his own mind.” When Reagan dealt with difficulties in the capital, “he was not baffled or disoriented or overwhelmed.” The author’s use of strong diction allows Thatcher to commend Reagan’s response to hardship. His drive was resolute and his spirit determined. Reagan handled all that politics threw at him. Thatcher then writes, “He knew almost instinctively what to do,” as an entire paragraph. The unique spacing leaves a lasting impression on the audience who can only reflect on Reagan’s natural savvy for politics. Within the next two paragraphs, Thatcher’s prose becomes casual despite the serious topics being she addresses. Reagan served as president during the height of the Cold War. He, “did not shrink from denouncing Moscow’s evil empire, but he realized that a man of good will might nonetheless emerge.” Thatcher juxtaposes common belief about the Soviet Union’s, “dark corridors,” and Reagan’s tactful approach. He recognized that the Soviet Union wasn’t completely devoid of hope. In noting this fact, Thatcher shows that Reagan always managed to see the good in