George Bush 9/11 Address to the Nation: Rhetorical Analysis
Directions: Using the speech delivered by President Bush after the terrorist attacks on 9/11, answer each of the following questions in complete sentences and a different colored font. Provide at least one line of evidence for each question directly from the speech unless the question states otherwise.
- What was George W. Bush’s primary purpose in delivering this speech to the nation?
- Who was the intended audience for this speech, and how did Bush tailor his message to them?
- Identify instances where Bush appeals to ethos (credibility).
- Analyze examples of emotional appeals (pathos) in the speech.
- Look for elements of logical argumentation (logos) and reasoning.
- Analyze the use of figurative language, such as metaphors or analogies. How does this use of figurative language work in favor or against Bush’s purpose?
- Examine the speech’s structure. How is it organized, and why might Bush have chosen this structure? Identify key sections or paragraphs and their purposes.
- Identify any historical references or allusions in the speech. How do these references contribute to the message or persuasion?
- Analyze any visual imagery created through Bush’s words. How does he use descriptive language to convey the magnitude of the events?
- Does Bush acknowledge and address potential counterarguments or opposing viewpoints? How does he build credibility by doing so, or does he choose not to?
- What is Bush’s claim in this speech? Does he provide sufficient evidence to support it?
- Identify any calls to action within the speech. How does Bush attempt to foster a sense of unity and resolve among the American people?
- Consider the pacing and delivery of the speech when we watched it in class (audiovisuals). Are there pauses, changes in tone, or emotional moments? How do these elements impact the audience’s perception?
- Discuss the historical context surrounding the speech, specifically the September 11, 2001 attacks. How does this context influence the content and tone of the speech?
- Based on your analysis, evaluate the overall effectiveness of George W. Bush’s 9/11 Address to the Nation in achieving its intended goals. What would you have done differently if you wrote this speech?
