Rhetorical Analysis Of George Bush 9/11 Speech

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How Bush Convinced America to Attack Terrorism Only twice in history has the U.S. been attacked on its own soil, but both times, the president has given a rhetorically effective speech to the American people in response. After 9/11, George Bush gave a State of the Union Address in Congress that stated to the American people that the terrorist attack of 9/11, in which the twin towers, which housed the World Trade Center, were destroyed, would elicit retribution to protect the people of America. Bush effectively informs Americans that he is not afraid to wage justice on all terrorist groups to protect freedom. Through the use of emotional appeals, he connects with the American people during his State on the Union Address by using pejorative language, …show more content…

In all, Kairos was a critical component for Bush to effectively convey his message to his audience. The commonplaces that Bush uses to connect to the American people are also important to Kairos. After 9/11, people did not know if more attacks would happen and if they would lose many of the freedoms and liberties they enjoyed. That is why Bush leans heavily on referencing freedom. This commonplace is a key principle of the U.S. and was an emotional topic for Bush’s audience. In his speech, Bush states, “And in our grief and anger we have found our mission and our moment. Freedom and fear are at war. The advance of human freedom -- the great achievement of our time, and the great hope of every time -- now depends on us.” This relationship between the attack on America and the attack on freedom helps Americans to connect emotionally to what Bush is saying. Relating America to freedom helps people to understand that by protecting America, they will in turn be protecting all of the rights and liberties that they enjoy. This gives the American people a purpose: to protect their rights and …show more content…

Multiple times throughout his speech, Bush says, “God bless America,” and similar things. This is also an ideology of America, and is said often throughout history by different presidents. It originates from the idea that all human beings have irrevocable rights given to them by God. Bush ends the speech by saying, “In all that lies before us, may God grant us wisdom, and may He watch over the United States of America.” This is an effective way to end his speech and would make the audience feel emotionally connected and confident in the government. Using this ideology also points to the fact that God supports America, not the terrorists. By using the ideology of God granting all human rights, Bush is able to wrap up his entire speech in one sentence. This sentence demonstrates both his desire to protect freedom, including people and places that represent freedom, such as America, along with his desire to exterminate all threats to freedom and rid the American people of fear. Overall, President Bush, in one of the only attacks against civilians in the U.S., delivered a rhetorically effective

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