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Rhetorical Analysis: The Challenger

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During the 1980s, space exploration was a popular topic to watch, listen to, and learn about in American life. NASA had already sent a lot of missions to space, all reaching new milestones and increasing interest in space exploration. The Challenger, however, had a different mission than the rest. It was going to carry the first teacher, Christa McAuliffe, into space where she would teach two lessons. There were six other men and women on board the Challenger. At this time, space exploration was at its peak and all of America was following the space program. Throughout the day, most of the televisions in the nation were tuned to the Challenger launch. One minute and twelve seconds into the launch, the space shuttle exploded. Such a traumatic …show more content…

Diction is the style of speaking, writing, or word choice. The accent, inflection, intonation, and speech-sound quality manifested by an individual speaker can also be diction (“The Definition of Diction”). His tone throughout the entire piece is solemn and mournful, to reflects the losses. He also has a more quiet delivery to pay homage to the lives of the Challenger victims. For example, he begins his speech with, “Today is a day for mourning and remembering… [we] are pained to the core by the tragedy.” At many other points in the speech, he discusses this “national loss.” This use of wording unifies Americans through this tragedy. By addressing and saying that he is hurt by it as well, he lets America know just how impactful this event was. Reagan uses diction to appeal to people’s emotions or pathos throughout his …show more content…

He shows empathy in many aspects of his demeanor. The first and most noticeable sign of empathy in his speech was when he said, "Nancy and I are pained to the core by the tragedy of the shuttle Challenger." He addresses not only himself, but his wife also, in an attempt to bring the speech on a more personal basis. This personal connection shows the deeper impact of this tragedy. When Reagan addresses the magnitude of the issue, and how many people were affected, he also shows that there is a path to recovery. As he continues to address the loss faced by the nation, he also discusses how America will “continue to follow [the Challenger astronauts] into the future,” showing the American people that they will move forward from this

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In Regan’s speech he says, “For the families for the Seven, we cannot bear, as you do, the full impact of this tragedy” (Regan 3). Regan shows his compassion by stating that we may not know what it feels like to lose a loved one. He also says, “It’s all a part of the process of exploration and discovery” (Regan 5). He feels bad for the loss of the families but informs the people that we cant let this set us back, but we will forever remember their

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When living in Florida the launches had become routine, but the fact that a teacher was flying into space made the mission special and caught the attention of many Americans and news broadcasters. People had begun to question NASA and the decision to send a civilian into space. My father remembered looking to the sky and seeing smoke in the air and wondered what had happened. At this point he went to the television in his home and turned on the news. That was when he realized that the Challenger had exploded.

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This speech is very empathetic. The adjectives he uses in explaining the emotions that the the 9/11 attacks left on the audience are strong. Using a phrase like "a continuing, awful agony they must endure day by day". So he acknowledges his audiences pain first. Then he tells them how the worlds thought and prayers are with them but admits he is sure that doesnt help them and is "hopelessly, utterly inadequate" attempt.

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One minute and thirteen seconds. The last entry on the flight transcript: LOSS OF ALL DATA. On January 28, 1986, the Challenger Space Shuttle exploded 73 seconds into its flight. Aboard were five astronauts, one of whom, Christa McAuliffe, was ready to become the first school teacher in space. Sadly, none of the five survived.

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Being personal is a good way to unify people. In this speech President Regan uses a rhetorical canon; which is style, effectively. President Reagan personalizes his speech by talking directly to the families of the fallen heroes. Personalizing the speech was a good choice because it is a more effective way of talking about the situation rather than just talking about the incident an informing what happened. Also his choice of using the words “us” and “we” triggers unity among the nation.

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Margaret Thatcher, former prime minister of Great Britain, portrays her sorrow in the death of Ronald Reagan, and emphasizes the former president’s accomplishments. Thatcher utilizes cause and effect to show how Reagan prospered under immense pressure of the public. Thatcher projects her admiration for Reagan by using glittering diction. Lastly, she adds shift change to show the changing tone in her eulogy. Margaret Thatcher appeals to not only Americans but others who are grieving the loss of Reagan through the use of informal tone and Thatcher creates a sense of relief and praise for the deceased.

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In his emotionally inspiring speech, “Shuttle Challenger Address,” Ronald Reagan expresses his deepest condolences to the people most affected by the Challenger accident. He advances his speech with a gentle yet strong willed facade in order to inspire the future generations of astronauts to not let this tragedy affect their future endeavors. Raegen then briefly puts his presidential status aside in order to further express the depth of his pain, not only at a presidential level, but as an American citizen concerned for the well being of his country. Raegen applies different types of rhetorical devices in order to emotionally appeal to the people most affected by the accident, while at the same time encourage the general public to not let this

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