Ronald W. Reagan And The Reagan Speech Analysis

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Two similar events, two similar speeches, and two similar men. Yet one has a spot on the top 100 speeches list and one has nearly faded away from all remembrance. Speeches are given to make and impact or a difference, and in this instance both brought relief to a nation in grief, and both are rhetorically sound. Ronald W. Reagan is such a president that left the nation with outstanding rhetorically great speeches. One of these is his world-renowned speech given to the nation after the explosion of the Challenger shuttle January 26, 1986. George W. Bush, a president just as distinguished as Reagan delivers a speech on February 1, 2003 on a parallel account. Another shuttle, the Columbia, exploded with similar characteristics, and in much the same way, Bush’s speech resembled Reagan’s address to the nation. There were many parallels with the two speeches, structure and content wise; however Reagan conveys better use of rhetorical strategies and provides the audience with greater hope and condolence. Both men use the power of ethos and pathos, but one man, Ronald Reagan, uses ethos and rhetoric in a way that Bush didn’t, he created a speech that embodies what America is about, hope. The definition of ethos reads like this: “the distinguishing character, sentiment, moral nature, or guiding beliefs of a person” (Webster). Reagan exemplifies such credibility throughout the speech. He was known as the “great communicator” and the president surely lives up to his nickname. His introduction enlightens America’s heart and thoroughly represents optimism for the country and its space program. “Today is a day for mourning and remembering”, Reagan states unlike Bush, who proclaims, “this day has brought terrible news and great sadness to our... ... middle of paper ... ...his words. “We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for the journey”, peaceful imagery and a remembrance of their souls are spoken once more and in conclusion Reagan states “and “slipped the surly bonds of earth” to “touch the face of God” (Reagan). He ends with words taken from a poem by John Gillespie Magee Jr. and poetic touch of emotion that continues to resonate today. His faith shines through and reaches the nation’s heart. Bush uses the wrong diction and his poor choice of faith-filled words will create a forgotten speech. Instead of using general faith filled words or sayings, Bush reverts to a bible verse which is not received as well as Reagan’s words because the bible is too specific and could infringe upon someone else’s beliefs. A more general medium, like Reagan presented would have been received better.

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